Deck of Dream Team 2012: Todd Goldstein

Name: Todd Goldstein
Club: North Melbourne
Position: Ruck
Bye Rounds: 11
2011 Average: 99.4
2011 Games Played: 21
Predicted Average: 103

Why should I pick him? Goldy has elevated himself to the ranks of rucking elite, crushing his 2010 average of 74.9 with a mammoth average of 99.4 in 2011. What really appeals about Goldy is his durability and consistency. He has played 21 games in his last two seasons, which is excellent for a big man. He racked up fifteen 90+ scores in 2011 and had only two sub-80 scores. He is capable of notching up big numbers too, carding 136, 144 and 130.

As a mobile ruckman who tackles (4.4 per game) and kicks goals (0.6 per game) while resting up forward, there’s not much to dislike about his Dream Team game. He is easily the Number One tall at Arden Street, ahead of McIntosh who will be looking to rebuild in 2012 after rehabilitating in 2011. At only 23 years of age, there’s upside too, with plenty of improvement to come from the big fella as he continues to build on his strength and hones his elite skills.

Why shouldn’t I pick him? In two words – Hamish McIntosh. Brad Scott seems set on the strategy of employing his two premium ruckmen in the Kangas starting lineup for 2012.  For fantasy football coaches, this presents the obvious risk that Goldy and HMac will be competing against each other for precious Dream Team points. And we know that the key to setting-and-forgetting your elite premo ruck combination is to pick those who play pretty much as the lone ruckman for their side, racking up plenty of hitouts and cheap touches as well as kicking the odd goal when resting at full forward.

Deck of DT Rating. Ace – you can’t go past class and Goldstein has it in buckloads. Whether he can improve on his 2011 average with H-Mac coming back into the side remains to be seen, but there’s no questioning Goldy’s durability, consistency and quality.

On the tweetvine: @TeeTeeDT