They’re mates off the field, but when it comes to the first bounce on Sunday, Todd Goldstein and Sam Jacobs won’t be taking a backward step.

The pair first met back in 2006, when 18-year-old Goldstein had just been recruited, and Jacobs was pushing his case for a spot on the North list.  

“He (Jacobs) was pretty impressive - I think the club was looking at potentially picking him up,” Goldstein told North Media.

Ultimately, Carlton’s first pick landed Jacobs, then he headed to Adelaide, and 12 years and 13 match-ups later, the pair face off again as two of the premier rucks in the league.  

“It’s always good fun going up against a mate,” Goldstein said.

“We have had some good battles and we have a lot of respect for each other, so we go about it the right way.

“Over the years we’ve taken turns in who has won the battle, and it’s probably level going into Sunday.

“It’s obviously a different challenge, but I’ve got a few mates in the Adelaide side; I grew up with David Mackay, but once the ball is bounced that stuff is forgotten about and I try to win the game.”

Both impressive athletes, Goldstein and Jacobs do their best to wear each other down physically than mentally, with the banter kept at a minimum.   

“We don’t talk too much trash to each other out there, but there was one time a few years ago that ‘Bulldog’ (midfield coach Jarred Moore) still ribs me about it,” Goldstein reminisced.   

“We were on the wing once, and we both looked at each other and said ‘do you want to go off?’ and we both ran off the ground together.

“That was about as much conversation as we have on the ground.”

Similar in height, weight and experience, Jacobs once said going up against the Roo was “a bit like looking in the mirror”, which Goldstein believes helps his preparation.

“He’s (Jacobs) good in all facets of the game,” the Kangaroos’ big man said.

“His stoppage work is pretty good, his marking around the ground is pretty good and he is continually involved in the play.

“He’s remained healthy over the years as well, so for longevity in the game, that’s what you need.

“We have a fair idea of what each other are going to do, but it all comes down to which team controls the footy more and can actually get their game going and play to their strengths.”

With classy midfielders at the feet of both big men, the ruck duel is likely to shape the outcome of the must-win match.

“We make the midfielders look pretty good, so that helps them,” Goldstein joked.

“When you’ve got players like Shaun Higgins and Ben Cunnington, Rory Sloane and Matt Crouch it makes for some really good combinations so it’ll be a really interesting battle.

“It’s going to be a finals-like atmosphere, Adelaide Oval is a tough place to play as we’ve found out over the past few years, so it’s going to be a good challenge and the game is often won or lost in the midfield, so it’s setting up for a good battle.”