Though he's craving more opportunities after three games last year, Goldstein understands how far he's come after deciding to try his luck with TAC Cup club Oakleigh on 2006's final day of registrations.
It kick-started a whirlwind few months that saw Goldstein run out for the Chargers two days after his first training session, play in their premiership side and then earn a spot on North's list via that year's NAB AFL Draft.
Joining the Roos meant Goldstein had to make the call to Australian men's under-19s basketball coach Marty Clarke, surrendering his place in the squad that was preparing for the 2007 world championships.
"I was in the middle of VCE (year 12 studies) and didn't really want my last game of school footy to be it for me," the 20-year-old said. "It took until then to realise how much I enjoyed it. That's why footy took over.
"Oakleigh Chargers had been calling me for probably two years and I said, 'No, I really want to focus on basketball'. But I decided to give them a call and luckily got in.
"I played the last four games of the season plus the finals and the grand final."
Early adjustment to life in the AFL – a big change from the professionalism in basketball at his level – has faded and Goldstein admits his improved fitness has allowed him to enjoy his third pre-season.
A personal best of 11min 44sec in a December team time trial at Princes Park's 3.2km circuit was a confidence boost on the back of increased training workloads.
So too was his survival during some sparring in the boxing ring with ruck coach and dual North Melbourne premiership player Corey McKernan, who Goldstein says has been an invaluable resource.
"You've got to understand that it really took me at least a year-and-a-half to get a grasp on it (elite-level football)," Goldstein said. "Now I think I really understand it and how much work you've got to do and how much the boys get around you when you do that."
Developing with North's former VFL affiliate Tasmania in 2007, Goldstein resumed with Werribee last year and gradually found the form that earned him a debut against Port Adelaide in round 15.
First-choice ruckman Hamish McIntosh had suffered a knee injury three weeks earlier, paving the way for Goldstein to get his berth and he held his spot for the next two clashes with Collingwood and Melbourne.
"The first half [of the year] was a bit tough and it really took me until the second half of the year when I got my fitness up and started to play some good footy in the VFL," he said.
"It really gave me a sniff of the AFL and playing a couple of games has just given me a really big carrot and that pushes you through the pre-season.
"It makes everything a lot easier knowing that I'm working to get a few more of those games."
If all goes to plan on the track and in next month's NAB Cup, Goldstein could figure in selection for round one and hopes the coaches see his place alongside fellow tall timber Drew Petrie, McIntosh and David Hale.
"That's the very exciting thing about this footy club," he said. "Hopefully there is a spot for all four of us because I think working together we'd be a pretty hard team to beat.
"I'd love to play half the season, if not more. I'll take every game I get. At the moment I'm trying to make sure my fitness and strength are up and hopefully get a NAB Cup game and build from there."
