Despite finishing 2017 strongly, it seems that Chris Fagan largely put a line through Ryan Bastinac for senior selection. He spent much of last year at NEAFL level and was demoted to the rookie list in the off season. Bastinac's best career form, which came six years ago at North Melbourne, was only just at the midfielder baseline. He is a B-grader at best, and the Lions coaches don't even rate him that highly. Avoid.
Nasty turn for Basti
Despite finishing 2017 strongly, it seems that Chris Fagan largely put a line through Ryan Bastinac for senior selection. He spent much of last year at NEAFL level and was demoted to the rookie list in the off season. Bastinac's best career form, which came six years ago at North Melbourne, was only just at the midfielder baseline. He is a B-grader at best, and the Lions coaches don't even rate him that highly. Avoid.
Bastinac revs his engine
A couple of NEAFL stints in the first half of last season during a run of five games where he did not better 16 possessions ended up being a good thing for Ryan Bastinac as he was far more consistent after round 13, not going below 16 again until round 23 and averaging just on 90 fantasy points in that period. His heat map tended towards the back half but he added a goal per game, indicating an increased work rate. The departure of Tom Rockliff means the club will rely on senior midfielders more in the next year or two as their early draft picks mature, and it looks like something clicked for Basti. The combination of inside clearance work and intelligent spread to dangerous areas is a solid one, and he showed a pleasing willingness to run to receive behind the wing. He should be drafted with a middle to late pick.
