TYSON Goldsack struggled to break into the Gippsland Power under-18 team in 2005, failed to win a place on Hawthorn's rookie list in 2006 and was drafted by Collingwood at a lowly No. 63 this year.

Yet, nine months later, he is a starting defender for the Magpies, about to play in the AFL finals and enjoying somewhat of a minor cult following among fans who have dubbed him "Moneybags".

Either Goldsack is not quite good enough, but has had lucky breaks and is about to be exposed, or he is an AFL-standard footballer who has risen in his own time and way.

Collingwood believes the latter, development coach Alan Richardson saying this week that Goldsack's attack on the football reminded many at the club of the young Gavin Brown.

So does Peter Francis, former Carlton and Fitzroy winger, now manager of Gippsland Power, who thinks the Magpies have a bargain. "We felt he had an enormous amount of upside to him still," he said. "He's a really good pick-up for Collingwood at 63."

Seemingly, football folk always have had trouble working out where Goldsack fitted in. As a junior at home in Pakenham, he played out of his age group for years, so did not stand out.

At the end of his schooldays, he grew suddenly and rapidly, from 180 to 192 centimetres, at last catching Gippsland's eye. Still, he did not take himself seriously as a footballer, preferring schoolies week to pre-season.

It took him until midway through the next season to break into a team that also featured Dale Thomas and Scott Pendlebury and would win the premiership.

"When he came off the bench, he showed some really exciting touches," said Francis. "I remember one game down at Morwell where he kicked four goals in a quarter and gave off four others. He showed bits and pieces."

At season's end, he nominated for the draft but was not selected, and he trialled to become a rookie at Hawthorn but missed out. Previously, that would have been the end of it. Goldsack said he might have played VFL, either for Frankston — where elder brother Jared then played — or Casey Scorpions, which was much closer to home.

But a new rule allowed under-18 teams two over-age players each, under strict criteria. Gippsland chose only one — Goldsack. It would be his making.

"He had a fantastic year," said Francis. "He played all over the place. He had 30 possessions four times as a centreman. He kicked five goals two or three times as a full-forward. He played on the wing. He played at full-back and half-back."

Goldsack remembers it the same way. "I started with Gippsland Power as a second-tier ruckman, then forward, the slowly moved back — half-forward flank, wing, centre half-back in the finals," he said. "All the time changing in the ruck."

Call it the Goldsack dilemma. Tall, quick and a clean ball-handler, he knew he belonged — but where? Anywhere can too easily become nowhere. Asked now, he is clear. "I like it on the half-back flank, and on a wing, somewhere where I can have a bit of a bounce and a run."

Again, he put his hand up for the draft. Again, he waited. "I had a manager by now. He was quietly confident going in that Collingwood and maybe Hawthorn would come in," he said. "I spoke to various clubs. Collingwood came to my house and interviewed me. But I wasn't confident."

Draft morning coincided with a champagne Christmas breakfast at a neighbour's house. Goldsack and his father, Peter, sat in their car outside, listening. "Bit unsocial, I know," he said.

At last, his name was called. "I just couldn't believe it," he said. "For the first 10 minutes, I didn't think it was real. I still thought it was a dream. The phone was running hot all day."

Goldsack had not been one-eyed about any team, although an uncle had bought him a Hawthorn membership when he was 12. His father was more torn: of all the years Geelong could have come good, this was the least convenient for him. Goldsack himself was glad to go to a big and stable club.

He was restricted in pre-season by residual groin soreness from his junior campaign that kept him from running before Christmas and by the club's policy not to overwork draftees. He struggled to put on weight. His highest ambition for the season was to play one game.

But revolution was afoot at Collingwood. In round eight, Goldsack became one of an eventual nine rookies blooded by the Magpies this year. "I thought: 'Well, here it is, let's have a crack at it,' " he said.

He has been rested only once since, and not spared at all. Twice, he has played on — and beaten — Michael O'Loughlin. Between times, he has played small, on Geelong's Steve Johnson, and tall, on Hawthorn's Lance Franklin.

His versatility has become his calling-card. At Williamstown, he was being groomed as a midfielder, which is still where the Magpies see him ultimately. But injuries to Simon Prestigiacomo and James Clement in the senior team created an urgent demand for defenders.

"He has incredible athletic potential," said Richardson. "That's important because the opposition obviously aren't kicking it to you; they're kicking it to the bloke you're playing on, and you're on the back foot.

"But what underpins his performances to date, and will underpin his career, is that he is a natural competitor. He has a massive thirst for the contest."

He said Goldsack's two games against O'Loughlin showed it. The first time Goldsack faced O'Loughlin, he was racked by nerves. "I was all concentration," he said. "He's a pretty smart player. Both times, it's been full-on."

Franklin was another proposition. "The bigger body, and he's so fast," he said. "I tried to start in front of him, cut off his leads. But he's so strong, too. Hopefully, in a couple of years, I'll get a bit of bulk on me and have another crack."

At 20, every match is watershed, every day a lesson. "You take everything as a challenge and if you win, you put that on your belt and get on with it," he said. "You try to learn from it." He has sensed rather than seen the heaving stands at Collingwood matches.

"There are a lot of times I don't want to look around," he said. "It puts a bit more nerves on me. You block it out as much as you can."

The ephemera of stardom swirled this week when, as a Rising Star nominee, he presented for a news conference, delayed by a book launch. When the spotlight turned to him, it showed his hair to be tousled, as you imagine it always has been, and devoid of tints. Clearly, he has much to learn yet!

His manner also was unaffected. "He's got such an easy-going personality." said Richardson. "He certainly doesn't take himself too seriously. He's got a terrific perspective."

Contemplating finals football, Goldsack was boyishly excited.

"I'm really anxious to play," he said. "As a footy fan, I've always watched the finals and thought: 'Imagine being a part of that.' I'm glad we're there."

Richardson said Goldsack was the most attentive learner he had coached. "Most of the blokes who come in have won the last four best-and-fairests at their clubs," he said, implying that they thought they had nothing to learn. Goldsack was different.

Richardson acknowledged the history of one-season wonders from low in the draft, but said: "I can categorically say it won't be the case with this fellow.

"He has all the attributes to be a long-serving member of this footy club and a very good player. I'd be surprised if he couldn't sustain this form for the rest of his career."