As North Melbourne attempts to rebound from a frustrating 2013, Ryan Bastinac has identified composure in possession as a key component for improvement.

“We put ourselves in such winnable positions last year and we just need to finish off those close games,” the midfielder told RSN Racing and Sport.

“It’s one thing we focused on towards the end of last year – when to be considered with the ball and when to go hard and attack.

“We need to be a lot more composed and know when the right time to go is.”

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Bastinac says this pre-season has been the toughest he’s experienced. A three week camp in Utah was followed up by a big fortnight on the track at Aegis Park. The players returned to the track on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old has struggled previously at altitude, but experience helped him adapt this time around.

“Me and Robbie Tarrant are normally the ones to get crook but the club managed us through it really well.

“They eased us into the camp so we didn’t do all of the sessions. We’d take part in all of the skills but only about half of the running in the first week. By the end of the camp we were doing everything.”

With just over a month until the first NAB Challenge game against Carlton, the team is counting down the days.

“It’s a great feeling at the club at the moment with everyone up and about. All the boys are really excited to take on 2014 and we can’t wait.”