Bastinac's endurance was just one of the qualities which allowed him play every game last year, but now the Kangaroos have a new youngster to get excited about.
Brayden Norris has taken all by surprise during the training camp in Utah with his impressive tank and ability to run fast over long distances, but he isn't one to brag.
"It's pleasing to be at the front of the pack...but Princes Park is probably the main test and I'll be looking forward to that on the 2nd of December," Norris told kangaroos.com.au.
It seems Norris is posing a serious threat to Bastinac's recent dominance after he posted the club's best times in a series of 1.6km time trials, then left his teammate in his wake over 4km.
"Endurance is really important in my game. Playing that role as a high half-forward, I'm expected to just keep running all day. I'm not the strongest player at the moment so I have to run my opponents around, get them tired and take advantage of them that way."
But while beating Bastinac is pleasing, Norris says the accomplishment means little because he is still yet to make his AFL debut unlike Ben Cunnington, Bastinac and Jamie Macmillan - players who were selected in the same draft as him.
"I'm jealous. You don't want to show it, but if they are playing games and I'm not, I just want to get there."
Although the start of the season is still four months away, the lighty-built youngster's chances of a 2011 debut must be improving with his efforts on the running track in the past fortnight.
Norris' next aim is to continue to increase his body size without jeopardizing his greatest asset.
""You have to be careful. You don't want to put on the weight too quickly. You need your body to get used to the change.
"I'm encouraged to eat a lot of proteins and carbs and have my five meals a day. Extra weights sessions are a must on top of what you have to do at the club. I'm hoping to put on another five or six kilos this pre-season to put me at about 78-80 kilos."
A key member of North Ballarat's VFL premiership side, Norris was named as an AFL emergency several times but was forced to spectate as others around him got their opportunity.
"I was probably a little bit disappointed in myself that I didn't get a senior game because of inconsistency. It definitely drives you when the guys around you are so switched on. Everything's so competitive. If they are playing, I want to as well."
