McIntosh and Goldstein linked up impressively in a Kangaroos intra-club practice match in Ballarat last night, signalling they can be one of the most potent big ruck combinations in the AFL.

They will face Hawthorn and Richmond in a round-robin fixture at Etihad Stadium on Friday, February 17, to open the NAB Cup.

McIntosh managed just one game with North Melbourne last year – his 100th in the last home and away round – after undergoing surgery on his two Achilles tendons.

In the absence of the Kangaroos’ number-one big man, Goldstein had an outstanding season.

With the added responsibility he developed into one of the best ruckmen in the AFL, with many pundits considering him unlucky to miss All-Australian selection.

One of the most-asked questions about North Melbourne in the off-season has been: can the Kangaroos have McIntosh and Goldstein playing side by side under a structure which now features three interchanges and a substitute?

Click to view photos from the Kangaroos' intra-club match

Coach Brad Scott has no doubt they can and so does McIntosh, who was buoyant after getting through the first serious test of the year with flying colours at Eureka Stadium.

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Scott said McIntosh and Goldstein had worked well together

“It’s a good start,” McIntosh said. “Last year was frustrating, effectively missing 10 to 11 months. “It’s been a long grind (back).

“It’s great to see some reward for the effort,” McIntosh said.

He is confident he and Goldstein can combine effectively.

The form of McIntosh and small forward Lindsay Thomas, and getting through the match free of injuries were the highlights for North Melbourne in a game that brought down the curtain on its two-day community camp in Ballarat.

This is the fourth consecutive year the Kangaroos have had their annual community camp in the city, and they are already making plans to return next year.

This is the third time the camp has featured an intra-club match. Last night’s game attracted about 1500 people.

Thomas starred in attack with four goals. Jack Ziebell, former captain Brent Harvey, mature-age recruit Sam Gibson, Aaron Black, Ben Warren, Leigh Adams and Michael Firrito also had plenty of the football.

This will not be North Melbourne’s only pre-season appearance in Ballarat. The Kangaroos face the Western Bulldogs in the first NAB Cup match at Eureka Stadium on Sunday, March 11.