Ryan Bastinac believes the addition of Nick Dal Santo is exactly what North Melbourne’s midfield group needs to push into the top echelon of the AFL.

The former Saint looked right at home in the royal blue and white in his first outing for his new club, racking up 27 possessions.

But Dal Santo’s stellar form came as no surprise to his fellow on-baller.  

“He’s the extra midfielder we needed. He’s one of our best leaders already and he adds that class on the outside and he can win the ball in a contest as well,” Bastinac told The Mercury.

“Everything we saw him do when he played against us — his skills, his kicking, and kicking goals — he’ll be doing that for us. He’ll be a good player for us the whole year.”

Bastinac says Dal Santo’s presence has proven vital in the absence of captain Andrew Swallow. His polish with the ball providing his team-mates with great confidence as a midfield unit.   

“Dal’s made an impact straight way on the playing group, not just on-field but off the field as well with his leadership qualities.

“Myself, Ben Cunnington and the rest of the group want to take that next step and form a really good bond in there and become an elite midfield.”

Bastinac was one of the standouts in a losing side against Carlton, with 31 possessions and a goal.

Now with 79 games under his belt, he’ll be expected to take another step up in 2014.

“I’m fitter and stronger than I was and just getting older and getting the experience of playing a few games helps me a lot,” he added.

“This is my fifth year now, so it would be great to take that next step and push to be one of the elite midfielders in the competition.”

North will be relying heavily on the output of Bastinac on Friday night against the reigning premiers.

“However they line up this week it’s going to be a good test for us.

“It’s always good playing against the premiers and seeing how you match up against them.”

The return of Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson and Brad Sewell not making the task any easier at Aurora Stadium.

“Just their skill level is unbelievable. They just always seem to hit that little short kick and pick apart the defence.”