If you reckon Todd Goldstein's heavy workload is an issue you're just being short-sighted, North Melbourne AFL coach Brad Scott said on Wednesday.
Goldstein spoke out last week about how "stuffed" he felt during matches after being told he had only been given a spell on the bench 20 times in the first 16 rounds, which was less than any other ruckman in the league.
Following widespread media criticism of Goldstein's ruck commitments, Scott says last week's game against Carlton was the only time Goldstein had been beaten this season.
The Official AFL Player Ratings on the league's website rank Goldstein as the No.5 ruckman. He is second for hitouts per game (39.38), trailing Western Bulldogs' Will Minson (40.50).
"Matty Kreuzer played really well on the weekend and beat him but on my analysis that's the first time Goldy has been comprehensively beaten this year," Scott told reporters.
"To basically beat his opponent 15 out of 16 occasions says a lot about Goldy.
"We're always looking at options. We think Dan Currie, he's going to push for selection.
"We know that Majak Daw can come in and play ruck and play forward as well.
"But I think it's short-sighted to say Goldy was beaten once or some people looked at some stats and finally realised in round 17 that Goldy doesn't get interchanged much and realised it's an issue.
"His form has been pretty good."
Goldstein said in a radio interview on July 18 he wasn't inclined to change with Drew Petrie because it robbed North of one of their most dangerous forwards.
"But we do need to try to change a bit more," he said.
The 13th-placed Kangaroos face Melbourne (17th) at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
North's chances of repeating last year's top-eight finish appear remote.
However the AFL-ASADA investigation into second-placed Essendon's supplements scandal is due to be finalised in August. The loss of premiership points is one penalty the Bombers could be facing.
"If things conspire to give us an opportunity, we finish ninth and we end up playing finals, our job is to make sure we're playing really good footy," Scott said.
North's season has included five losses by less than a goal.
The Kangaroos have used 30 players, three fewer players than any other club.
Scott says North have a young side with players who are still developing.
"We're not about to tip them out just because we think we've got to introduce new players for the sake of it," he said.
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