Dynamic midfielder Ryan Bastinac has signed with the Brisbane Lions, another major addition to the Club’s on-ball engine room.
Bastinac, a 24-year-old with 121 games for North Melbourne, today agreed to a four-year deal after visiting the Gabba last week to tour facilities and meet with Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch.
He joins Dayne Beams, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley, Dayne Zorko, Daniel Rich, Mitch Robinson and Allen Christensen in an exciting midfield group.
The deal to secure Bastinac also involved the Club receiving Picks No.38 and 40 in this year’s NAB National Draft, as well as a future 2nd Round pick (from St Kilda to Collingwood) and a future 3rd Round pick (from North Melbourne).
In return, the Club sent this year’s Pick No.17 and 26 (from Collingwood) to North Melbourne, as well as James Aish to Collingwood.
Brisbane Lions List Manager Peter Schwab said the deal ensured the Club covered the loss of Aish, as well as ensuring enough Draft points this year and next to secure quality Queensland talent coming out of the Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy.
“This is a strong result for our Footy Club – Ryan is a ready-made replacement for James, with more experience and he adds to our midfield depth and run,” said Schwab.
“Ryan can play inside and outside, has great endurance, is a good decision maker and uses the ball well, and we are really pleased to have him as a Lion.
“As a Club, we were determined to avoid a situation where we just got another 18-year-old to replace James. We wanted more than that, and we got it.
“The deal has also allowed us to stock up on the Draft points we need to get the elite Queensland talent coming out of our Academy this year and into the future.
“We think the addition of Ryan combined with our other signings Tom Bell, Josh Walker and Jarrad Jansen, has strengthened our list considerably in the areas that needed attention, as well as placing us in a strong position heading into the Draft.”
Bastinac, 184cm and 84kg, has played 121 senior games and kicked 66 goals since being was recruited by North Melbourne with pick No.21 in the 2009 National Draft from Dandenong.
His signing coincides with the Lions’ 2016 Membership Launch – on sale now.
