Todd Goldstein on his way to 2nd most tapouts in a season ever!

[North Melbournes Finest]

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/4912/newsid/119892/default.aspx

Todd Goldstein's growing status as one of the best ruckman in the league could be recognised in more ways than one this season.

Already considered one of the favourites to win the Syd Barker Medal and in the mix for All-Australian selection, statistically Goldstein may see his name in the record books.

With 622 ruck taps in just 17 games, the North Melbourne big man currently sits 14th on the all-time list of hit-out winners in an individual season.

Back in 1982, Kangaroo Gary Dempsey averaged a remarkable 40 hit-outs a game, and while his tally of 878 may be a bit of a stretch, second place looks well within reach.

To reach the mark of 738 also set by Dempsey in 1983, Goldstein would need 117 hit-outs in the club's remaining four games (29 a game). When you consider he's averaged over 36 a match in 2011, it’s very achievable.

Last year, Goldstein and Hamish McIntosh registered 767 hit-outs between them, a figure the number 22 will go close to eclipsing alone. It's a true sign of just how much he's stepped up as the solitary big man.

Home and away hit-out tallies
878 - Gary Dempsey - 1982 (North Melbourne)
738 - Gary Dempsey - 1983 (North Melbourne)
711 - Mark Lee - 1984 (Richmond)
703 - Simon Madden - 1983 (Essendon)
688 - Gary Dempsey - 1981 (North Melbourne)
686 - Aaron Sandilands - 2010 (Fremantle)
682 - Darren Jolly - 2009 (Sydney)
659 - Aaron Sandilands - 2009 (Fremantle)
649 - Mark Lee - 1983 (Richmond)
646 - Aaron Sandilands - 2008 (Fremantle)
643 - Mark Jamar - 2010 (Melbourne)
628 - Peter Everitt - 2004 (Hawthorn)
623 - Rod Blake - 1980 (Geelong)
622 - Todd Goldstein - 2011* (17 games)
619 - Justin Madden - 1982 (Essendon)
611 - Mark Lee - 1981 (Richmond)
611 - Simon Madden - 1984 (Essendon)
607 - Matthew Allan - 1999 (Carlton)

If he doesn't get All Australian, it's an embaressment to the game All Australian voting system.

[ossie85]

Why? Coxy is clearly the best ruckmen this year, and they may only choose the 1 ruckmen.

I wouldn't discount Ottens as the #2 either for team balance.

Goldstein's convinced me though, I'll have him in my team.

[Zarts]

I would have said they would pick Cox and Goldy for AA rucks this year?

[Holz]

Why? Coxy is clearly the best ruckmen this year, and they may only choose the 1 ruckmen.

I wouldn't discount Ottens as the #2 either for team balance.

Goldstein's convinced me though, I'll have him in my team.

cox is clearly the best player who plays the ruck postion its the other stuff that cox does that makes him a superstar if you had a midfiled and forward line of the AA who wouldnt have to do that stuff. You could argue that Goldy has been the better ruck, moust hitouts and most clearances of any ruck. So im trying to say Cox better player goldy beter ruck

[roo boys!]

I just saw that article on the site then. GO GOLDY :D

[c4v3m4n]

Well it's refreshing to see North at the top of something for a change!  :P ;D

[Cruiseon]

Great stat, gee there are some quality names on the list. I'm old enough to remember watching the latter part of Dempsey's career and his battles with Peter Moore were epic.

Dempsey, Lee, Madden(s), Sandilands, Everitt, Jolly - with the exception of Sandi there's quite a few Premeirships amongst that list.

[roo boys!]

That's a great sign for the roos, 'eh Oss? ;)