NORTH Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein has quashed speculation he could leave the club at season's end.
Goldstein is contracted until the end of 2019, but his recent middling form combined with impressive youngster Braydon Preuss languishing in the VFL has raised doubts about whether the 28-year-old would stay with the 4-8 Kangaroos.
However, Goldstein dismissed that idea when speaking to Fox Sports on Saturday.
"I want to be a premiership player at North Melbourne," Goldstein said.
"That's where my heart stays and I'm doing everything I can to get back to that. I feel like everything's not that far off. It's very close, we've just got to put that icing on the cake."
After finishing 2016 ranked second for hit-outs per game, Goldstein is 13th this season.
Coach Brad Scott said after the club's 17-point loss to St Kilda on Friday night Goldstein had taken a "really good step forward".
"I've set a high standard for myself over the last few years and I know myself that I haven't reached that standard," Goldstein said.
"I'm not happy with how I've been going. I don't think I've been terrible. I think I've been playing OK, but I think last night might have been a step in the right direction.
"I got a lot more involvements and hopefully won my spot and I think our midfielders were a lot happier last night."
He picked up 17 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six clearances, six score involvements, kicked a goal and had 33 hit-outs against the Saints.
