A RETURN to form from All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein is "just around the corner", North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says.
Goldstein started 2016 in a similar vein of form to last season, when he was named the competition's best ruckman.
However, the big Roo has struggled for form since copping a knock to the knee against the Sydney Swans in round 10, and last round lowered his colours to fill-in Port Adelaide ruckman Jackson Trengove.
Scott told reporters on Wednesday he believed Goldstein would rediscover his best form quickly.
"He's an All Australian ruckman, isn't he? He's held to a higher account than most, as he should be," Scott said.
"No one is more disappointed with poor performances individually than Goldy, (but) look his best form is just around the corner.
"Our job as coaches and my job as senior coach is to help him with that. So that's my focus.
"It's probably everyone else in the footy community's job to judge players and critique them where necessary.
"My job is just to make sure that I provide the best circumstances for him to play well and I'm really confident we've done that this week."
Asked about Goldstein's fitness, Scott said the ruckman was "fine" and had been training fully.
The Roos coach said Daniel Wells (calf) and Jarrad Waite (hip) had pulled up well after returning from injury against Port Adelaide last Saturday, and would be fit to play in the crucial clash against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
Scott also quickly quashed any suggestion out-of-form spearhead Drew Petrie would be dropped for Friday night's game, declaring simply: "He'll play."
North has gone from two games clear on top of the ladder after its 9-0 start to the season to eighth after losing six of its past seven games, including the past five.
The Roos' spot in the finals is suddenly in some doubt after their loss to Port Adelaide last Saturday, a defeat that allowed the Power and St Kilda to climb within two wins of the top eight.
Scott said North had to address some areas of its game that had dropped off since its 9-0 start, including its kicking efficiency.
Scott did not go into any more detail about those problem areas, but said they were "completely within our control" and could be rectified soon.
"We've just got to be aware that in times in this really tough industry you come across some inclement weather, but the weather always clears and we've got to make sure that our response to that inclement weather is really solid and we stay the course," he said.
"Because the worst thing we could do now is panic and set ourselves off course, when I'm really confident we can get back on course."
