Veteran ruck Todd Goldstein will line up for his 19th AFL season after committing to Essendon on a one-year contract extension.

With 329 games to his name, Goldstein provides the Bombers with a wealth of experience and guidance.

In his first season in the red and black, Goldstein played 14 games and was a guiding support to fellow rucks Nick Bryan and Sam Draper.

Before joining the Bombers, Goldstein played 17 seasons at North Melbourne, establishing himself as a premier ruck within the competition, claiming an All-Australian blazer and Syd Barker Medal in 2015.  

Goldstein said he was eager to continue building the ruck partnerships with Draper and Bryan.

“I’m excited to continue to work with Sam and Nick. I felt like we were able to build a great relationship over the last 12 months, and I think a bit more continuity of working together is only going to benefit everyone,” Goldstein said.

“To have three really viable options to play in the ruck is going to create a really competitive environment to hopefully drive us all to improve and give us multiple options next year.

“I am really excited by what I have seen over the last 12 months and feel like we have all the capabilities in the room to be a successful side. I am looking forward to seeing what we can all achieve together and continue to push ourselves and each other to get us where we want to get.”

In round eight this season, Goldstein became the first AFL/VFL player to accumulate a total of 10,000 career hitouts while also still holding the record for most hitouts in a game, which he achieved in round 12 of the 2015 season, where he tallied 80 hit outs against GWS.

General Manager – AFL Daniel McPherson said Goldstein’s leadership and experience have been influential throughout his first year at the NEC Hangar.

“Todd is the ultimate professional who holds himself and his teammates to high standards on and off the field. With 329 games to his name, Todd’s knowledge of the game, and specifically his ruck craft, has been extremely beneficial to fellow rucks Sam and Nick. He has also been a great support and mentor for first-year tall Vigo Visentini,” McPherson said.

“To have someone of Todd’s calibre and experience at the club is an asset for our players and coaches. On the field, he also provides us with great flexibility through the partnerships he has built with Sam and Nick. All three players have different ruck styles and characteristics, allowing us flexibility when coming up against different sides.

“We look forward to seeing Todd in the red and black for a second season.”