NORTH Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein is set to break the VFL/AFL record for hit-outs in a season this Friday night against Richmond.

Goldstein needs 16 hit-outs to break former Kangaroo Gary Dempsey's 1982 mark of 952, a feat that should be well within the 27-year-old's reach given he has averaged 44.6 hitouts in 21 games this season for a total of 937.

The Roos ruckman would then, fitness permitting, have at least one final to try to become the first ruckman to have 1000 hit-outs in a season.

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But Goldstein's likely new record might not stand for long with Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands breathing down his neck.

Sandilands has had 915 hit-outs in 21 games this season, just 22 behind Goldstein. 

The Freo star's cause will not be helped by the likelihood he will be one of the players Dockers coach Ross Lyon rests from Saturday's clash against Port Adelaide.

But Sandilands is then set to have at least two finals to pass Dempsey's old mark, given the Dockers have secured the 2015 minor premiership and a double chance.

Depending on how far North progresses this September, Sandilands could also make a serious assault on Goldstein's prospective new record. 

Statistics for hit-outs in the VFL/AFL date back to 1966.

MOST HIT-OUTS IN A VFL/AFL SEASON