AFTER heading to the Brisbane Lions seeking greater playing opportunities, Ryan Bastinac says there are no hard feelings towards his former club North Melbourne.

Bastinac played six seasons at Arden St, but despite playing 17 games in 2015, was shuffled out of the senior team and missed the Kangaroos' push to a second-straight preliminary final.

The 24-year-old played 121 games in North's midfield, but after a patchy two years, decided it was time for a change.

Season review: Brisbane Lions

Bastinac completed his first training session in Lions colours on Wednesday morning and said that, ultimately, leaving the Kangaroos had been an easy decision.

"They brought some players in the last couple of years that have been great for them, Nick Dal Santo and Shaun Higgins, players that have helped the club, and I suppose they've been put in front of me," Bastinac said.

"It's hard, but North have done great … I wish them all the best and I've got so many great mates there - there's no hard feelings at all." 

After being a mainstay of the Roos' young midfield core in his early years alongside the likes of Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington, Bastinac was moved to a more outside role.

He admitted it was a switch he struggled adjusting to.

Coming to Brisbane, Bastinac will move back to his preferred inside role and effectively take the place of West Coast-bound Jack Redden.

"I just want to get back to playing my best footy," he said.

"The last two years have been pretty stagnant so I'm just looking forward to getting a good opportunity in the midfield and taking it with both hands.

"I take full responsibility for that. I didn't adapt well to playing a more outside position.

"I think I needed a fresh start and coming up north was the best place for that."

One man Bastinac is looking forward to working with is Lions champion and assistant coach Simon Black.

Bastinac recalled approaching Black in his mid-teens asking for advice.

"'Blacky' was my idol growing up. He probably doesn't remember but I spoke to him when I was younger for some advice, I had question marks over my pace. 

"I absolutely loved him and it's going to be awesome to work with him. He was a superstar of a player, so I'll be picking his brain as much as possible." 

Luckily for Bastinac, Black did remember the phone call and said he had been an admirer of the ex-Roo for many years.

"He's a quality midfielder," Black said.

"I've been a big fan of Ryan and how he's gone about his footy over a long period. 

"I played on Ryan before, when he was in the early stages of his career and I was well and truly coming towards the end.

"He challenged me through his running capability, he's a real competitor, and (with) ball in hand, really dangerous."