North Melbourne midfielder Ryan Bastinac will remain at Aegis Park for at least a further two years after confirmation on Friday he’d re-signed with the club.
Despite rumoured interest from other clubs, the 20-year old had no hesitation in signing a new deal.
"I am so happy to be a part of this club for another two years and hopefully we can go on and have some success," he told the Herald Sun’s Glenn McFarlane.
"I love being around all the boys and the coaches here. I think we have a lot of good things to look forward to over the next few years."
Bastinac was handed Brady Rawlings’ number three guernsey upon his retirement in a sign of the high regard he’s held in at North Melbourne.
With 42 career games to his name, Bastinac was a stand-out performer in the Kangaroos’ round two win over the Giants, amassing 44 possessions.
The 2010 Rising Star nominee says the last three matches, all losses, have been a challenge but is confident his team’s fortunes will turn.
"Look, we are a very young list, but we are not using that as an excuse for what has happened in the past couple of weeks," he added.
"But I am 100 per cent certain we are headed in the right direction. I think we have a lot of good things to look forward to here."
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North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions
Sunday 27th May, 1.10pm EST
Etihad Stadium
