TODD Goldstein has reached 299 AFL games and set ruck records by playing his way and, if it's up to him, that won't end any time soon.
The North Melbourne ruckman will notch his milestone 300th game against Gold Coast on Sunday, underlining his remarkable longevity.
The 34-year-old hopes to go around again in 2024, potentially even if that means playing VFL to allow younger teammates the spotlight.
"At this point, yeah, I'm keen to look to play on," Goldstein told reporters.
"But we have had no conversations with the footy club. I haven't had any conversation with my manager about it.
"For me, it's just about trying to help this footy club where I can this year, and when it gets closer to the end of the year, I'm sure those discussions will be had."
Goldstein's 2023 started on a bruising note, dropped for Tristan Xerri in round one.
He hasn't missed a game since, after Xerri injured his ankle in the season-opener.
"We're all proud players, we all want to be playing so it definitely hurt but I understood the reasoning," Goldstein said.
"I knew it was going to be close between me and Tristan and it was whether we played two (ruckmen) or not. It wasn't a week where we needed two ruckmen, they didn't think, so I fully understood.
"You're upset for a few hours, you deal with it, you talk to your family and friends about it and then you realise that you've got a job to do ... I feel like I handled it well and I think I've responded.
MEDICAL ROOM Check out the full injury list
"If they feel we need two ruckmen (when Xerri returns) then we can both play.
"If not, then I'm going to do as well as I can to try and hold my spot - and if not, I'll go back and perform in the VFL."
Goldstein holds the record for winning the most VFL/AFL hitouts (9375) and the most in a single game (80).
"I've already got a business card made up," he joked.
"It's something that I'm very proud of. People don't often rate hitouts that highly but for me it's about your ruck craft and it's not as easy as it looks to get your hand on the ball.
STATEMENT AFL congratulates Todd Goldstein on 300 games
"I'm very proud that I've done being a ruckman my way.
"If I had to be someone else, if I had to be that big, aggressive bloke, I don't reckon I would've lasted because it's probably not my go."
TODD GOLDSTEIN'S AFL CAREER BY THE NUMBERS
* Drafted at pick 37, 2006 AFL draft
* Debuted in round 15, 2008 v Port Adelaide
* Accumulated 9375 hitouts across his career – the most in VFL/AFL history
* Registered 80 hitouts in one game in 2015 against GWS - a League record
* Will be the sixth player to reach 300 games entirely for North Melbourne and the 100th AFL player to 300 games
* All-Australian (2015), club best and fairest winner (2015)
