CLUBS crave players who will lift for the biggest occasions, which is why Ryan Bastinac's 3km time trial result at October's NAB AFL Draft Camp meant so much more than just a new personal best.

Bastinac sliced seven seconds off his previous effort of 10min 10sec to finish No.2 in the trial rankings, and did so after four days' scrutiny from AFL recruiters.

A week earlier, he had played in the Dandenong Stingrays' TAC Cup grand final against the Calder Cannons and arrived in Canberra worried he wouldn't have the energy to truly deliver on the track.

But any bearing the busy build-up had on his endurance was forgotten when, a day before the trial, he finished equal second in the beep test (15.1) to another player who would be drafted by North Melbourne, Brayden Norris.

Following Bastinac's selection with North's second pick (No.21 overall) last month, talent ID manager Bryce Lewis highlighted the 18-year-old's draft camp performance.

"Coming into draft camp, I didn't know what to really expect but the endurance tests I thought I [would go] alright in," Bastinac said.

"I thought I was going to struggle coming off the grand final just the week before.

"The 3k was probably one of my strengths. I ran [10.03] so I was really happy with that. It was my best time I've ever done."

Bastinac said the Stingrays' loss to the Cannons was the most disappointing part of an otherwise pleasing year.

He averaged 22 possessions at TAC Cup level and represented Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, which he added had been a good challenge.

Ahead of joining the Roos, Bastinac had the most contact with Adelaide and was also aware Geelong was interested, but attended draft night still fearing he would be left with nothing.

With his family in the outer south-eastern suburb of Narre Warren, Bastinac considered himself lucky to stay in Melbourne.

North had decided to pick him ahead of West Australian Aaron Black, sensing West Coast could pounce with its successive selections at No.22 and 23.

Black was still available when North chose again at 25.

"I had no idea where I was going," Bastinac said. "But coming to North Melbourne at pick 21, I couldn't ask for anything more. It's a great opportunity.

"I didn't care where I went. It doesn't matter what number you go, you all come in as equals and I'm just going to work as hard as I can."

Bastinac admitted the three-day turnaround - from being drafted to moving in with a host family in Pascoe Vale - had been tough, but that the reception from his new teammates had helped the transition.

He said he would look to add size and strength to his 74kg frame over the summer to give himself the best opportunity to break into the senior side in 2010.