Bastinac becomes a Redleg

The Norwood Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of former North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions midfielder, Ryan Bastinac for the 2020 SANFL Statewide Super League Season.

The Dandenong Stingrays junior was taken at pick 21 of the 2009 AFL Draft by North in which he spent seven years at Arden Street.

In 2015 Bastinac was traded to the Brisbane Lions playing 43 games over four seasons.

The 28-year old has chalked up 164 games of AFL experience and will add poise and class through the Redlegs midfield in 2020.

Not only is his ball use a major strength, but Bastinac’s ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities is also another positive after kicking 93 AFL goals.

In 2019 Bastinac was awarded the Neville Fallon award as the Brisbane Lions Reserves Best and Fairest for the second year in a row.

Bastinac averaged 31.3 disposals and 3.6 tackles in the NEAFL competition. In the Semi Final against the Sydney Swans, ‘Basti’ had an equal season-high 41 disposals, six tackles and two goals. In the Grand Final win over the Southport Sharks he had 30 disposals, eight tackles and one goal.

Football Operations Manager, Mark Ross said the signing of Bastinac will not only give Norwood’s midfield more depth, but his experience gained over his 164 games of AFL will be passed on to our younger players coming through the ranks.

“Ryan is a player that we have had our eye on for quite a while,” Ross said.

“Basti has been around footy and the AFL system for a long time, and the wealth of experience he brings to the club will be really useful in nurturing some of our younger players”

“As a club, we are pleased to welcome Ryan to the Norwood family in 2020.”

Since putting pen to paper, Bastinac said he was excited about joining the playing group for pre-season and is keen to reunite with fellow teammate Brad McKenzie after spending time together at North Melbourne.

“It’s an exciting time to sign for Norwood in 2020,” said Bastinac.

“Being good mates with Brad McKenzie, I have always wanted to play with him again as we didn’t have too many opportunities at North Melbourne”

“I have met a lot of the boys since joining and they are all fantastic guys who are striving for the success of winning a Premiership.”

Bastinac also went onto mention that he aims to pass on his experience learnt from his time at both North Melbourne and Brisbane to the playing group in 2020.

“I’ve really learnt a lot playing at both North and Brisbane,” Bastinac said.

“I’ve played with guys like Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie, and then in the last couple of years had Hodgey (Luke Hodge) come up and play at the Lions.

“Brisbane turned the corner pretty quickly and I think I know some of the reasons why that happened, so I am definitely looking forward to hopefully implementing those on-field and off-field for Norwood in 2020.”

Bastinac will join the Norwood Football Club for pre-season in January, pending on any AFL Draft opportunities.

Ryan Bastinac Profile:

DOB: 22/06/1991

Age: 28

Height: 184cm

Weight: 76Kg

Playing Career:

• North Melbourne 2010 – 2015 121 games 66 goals
• Brisbane Lions 2016-2019 43 games 27 goals