Key midfield prospect emerges from shadows

HIS HIGH-profile teammate might be getting all the attention, but some at the Dandenong Stingrays believe midfielder Ryan Bastinac's ability rivals that of the likely No.1 pick in this year's NAB AFL Draft.

Bastinac is a teammate of Tom Scully and has therefore spent not only much of this year in the shadow of the man tipped to go first in the draft, but indeed much of the past few seasons.

However that hasn't stopped him making his own big impression.

Recruiters have taken a shining to his hard running and clean ball use, with the ballwinner likely to be selected either late in the first round or early in the second when AFL clubs meet for the national draft on November 26.

Stingrays regional manager Darren Flanigan doesn't see a lot between his club's two star midfielders.

"They [Scully and Bastinac] played a lot of junior footy together in rep teams," Flanigan told afl.com.au.

"I remember in trial games that we actually had to take them off the ground because between the two of them they'd get the ball from one end to the other and no-one else would get a touch, so we always rated Ryan really, really highly.

"He probably hasn't received the accolades that Tom has, but as far as his ability [there's no doubts] … he's always on the same lap as Tom in the 3km time trial and there's very, very few players who can do that. His time at the draft camp was outstanding.

"His skills are equal to if not better than Tom. He probably hasn't got the explosiveness and the lateral movement that Tom's got, but he's hands are outstanding, his skills are outstanding and inside he's fantastic."

Bastinac impressed throughout the TAC Cup season for Dandenong, while also playing his part for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.

But perhaps he showed his true class in the TAC Cup grand final when, minus his fellow co-captain Scully, he led the Stingrays superbly.

While his side ultimately fell just short, Bastinac was sublime in the decider with 24 disposals and a goal, confirming what those in the industry already suspected - that he is likely to become a genuine A-grader at the top level.

Bastinac's showing in the grand final had recruiters salivating, and his efforts at the NAB AFL Draft Camp in Canberra further emphasised his athletic ability.

He was second in both the beep test (recording a 15.1) and the 3km time trial, scorching around the course in 10.03.

"He can play off the half -back flank, can play half-forward as he did in the under-18 nationals this year and he's just got an amazing work-rate," Flanigan said.

"He played mainly midfield with us, but his endurance is outstanding.

"I think he'll go late first [round], early second. He's going to be a fantastic AFL player."

Log on to afl.com.au on D-day, Thursday, November 26, for the most comprehensive coverage of the 2009 NAB AFL Draft. We’ll have live chats, live audio streams, in-depth player profiles, club reaction and our famous afl.com.au Draft Tracker.