WITH just three matches left in the AFL season, it could be that North Melbourne pair Todd Goldstein and Scott Thompson are facing the end of their time at Arden Street.
Goldstein, 31, and Thompson, 33, are the oldest and most experienced names on the Kangaroos list and both out of contract.
Towering ruck Goldstein has been linked with a move to St Kilda, with reports the Saints are willing to offer him a longer tenure.
On Wednesday, Rhyce Shaw said he wanted Goldstein to see his future at the club.
“Todd is a fantastic part for our footy club and has been for a long time,” he said.
“I’d love to see him in our colours next year.
“He’s still a top three ranked ruckman in the competition I think at his best and I’d love to see him here.”
Shaw, handed the reins at North Melbourne last month to succeed Brad Scott, said he would “be worried” if Goldstein delayed the decision further.
“I’m looking for him to be as comfortable as he can and hopefully he signs,” he said.
Thompson’s situation is a little different.
Due to his age, the key backman has been assessed on a yearly basis by the club for some time, with another review to come at season’s end.
Shaw backed him to do a job on in-form Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins in this weekend’s clash, but wasn’t in the mood to speculate whether he’d be doing the same next season.
“I know Scotty has been a great servant for our footy club and he’s played good footy for us again this year. We’ll address that in time. I don’t know where that’s at. We’ll see what happens,” he said.
Should Goldstein and Thompson move on, their departures would represent the biggest loss of experience since the infamous axing of Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo – a move Scott said was the hardest decision of his tenure.
Thompson and Goldstein have combined for 469 games for North.
A loss to ladder leaders Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night would end the Kangaroos’ the faint hopes of playing finals this season.
The Cats have endured a torrid run since the bye, leading Shaw to suggest “they’ll come out firing” in front of their home crowd.
“They didn’t have a great weekend so I’m expecting a really good performance from them and a really tough one for us,” he said.
© AAP 2019
