Fremantle Dockers midfielder Lachie Neale has praised North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein ahead of Freo’s round four at Etihad Stadium.
Goldstein is coming off an outstanding game against Melbourne, where he finished with 38 hit outs and five goals in the Kangaroos thrilling five point win.
Neale said Freo were under no illusions about the challenge that awaits this Sunday.
“Todd’s a quality player and one of, if not the, best ruckmen in the competition,” Neale said.
With Aaron Sandilands to miss time due to fractured ribs and a punctured lung sustained against West Coast, Neale said Jonathon Griffin and Alex Pearce may share ruck duties and was confident in their ability to handle the challenge.
Aaron Sandilands injury update
“He’s a tough match up, but we have Jonathon Griffin,” he said.
“I also thought Alex Pearce competed really fiercely on the weekend against the likes of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett, and it was a big step forward in his development.”
The endeavour of Alex Pearce was one of the bright spots to come out of Saturday's loss, and Griffin put his hand up for selection after a strong showing for Peel Thunder, with 36 hit outs and 11 disposals against East Perth.
Neale admitted that going up against a quality opponent such as Goldstein highlighted the importance of Fremantle’s midfielders winning the stoppage battle on Sunday.
“You have to have more of a defensive mindset, just to make sure they don’t get a clean exit,” he said.
“The ball spends 90 per cent of the time on the ground, so it’s about our (midfield) follow up.
“It’s about our hitting, tackling, and joining in effort around the stoppages.”
