TODD Goldstein faces a tough start to the season. And he faces it largely on his own. But far from being daunted by the prospect, he's actually looking forward to it.

With North Melbourne's senior ruckman Hamish McIntosh facing a delayed start to the season after surgery on both of his Achilles tendons, Goldstein, 22, has been thrust into the role of North's No. 1 ruckman.

He won't be eased into it, either. His prospective opponents in North's first three games are West Coast's Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui in round one, Collingwood's Darren Jolly in round two and Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands in round four.

You could mount a compelling argument Sandilands, Cox and Jolly are the best three ruckmen in the AFL, while Naitanui presents a unique challenge with his extraordinary spring and athleticism.

Bring them on, Goldstein says.

"It's a good opportunity and hopefully I can keep the spot warm until 'H' (McIntosh) is back and we can work together again," Goldstein told afl.com.au at Aegis Park after training on Friday.

After playing 16 games in his first three seasons at North, Goldstein had a breakthrough season last year, playing 21 games. His development was so impressive North could afford to trade fellow big man David Hale to Hawthorn at the end of the season.

Significantly, Goldstein assumed the No. 1 ruck spot in two of those games, when McIntosh was injured in rounds eight and nine, and performed well.

"I had a few opportunities last year, when we played the Western Bulldogs and against Adelaide as well, to go on my own and it did give me some confidence," he said.

Goldstein also has another pre-season under his belt, during which he feels his ability to read the play has improved.  The No.37 pick of the 2006 NAB Draft played significant game time in the ruck against the Western Bulldogs in North's last NAB Challenge match and was among the best for the Kangaroos.

He is also quick to point out he will be ably supported in the ruck until McIntosh's return, most likely by Drew Petrie, after he completes a week's suspension in round one.

Much-improved rookie Majak Daw, who could be elevated to the senior list after Ayden Kennedy's season-ending knee injury, may also step up to ease his workload, Goldstein says.

One thing that won't ease his workload, however, is the new interchange rule.

Under this rule, teams' benches will be reduced from four players to three and a substitute in 2011. It has been widely speculated this will force ruckmen to play more game time and 'rest' in other positions, with those incapable of doing so likely to vanish from the game.

Goldstein is likely to spend more of his recovery time in North's forward line this year but he is confident he'll cope.

"I'm not worried about it too much, I think last year I was playing 80-90 per cent of games," he says.

"Playing 21 games like that last year holds me in pretty good stead for this year."

After the Kangaroos' slow start to the pre-season, Goldstein is confident their form is improving ahead of round one.

"In the last few weeks, we've been trying to work on areas we've identified we need to get better in as a side and I think we're slowly building up for round one," he says.

"West Coast in Perth is always a tough ask. It will be a good chance to see where the group's at and really give us some confidence if we can get a win there."


Todd Goldstein is a $310,900 ruckman in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.