While many are talking contracts around this time of year, Ryan Bastinac just wants to concentrate on footy. The classy midfielder has been listed by media experts as a potential GWS target but his management says the 20-year old wants to make a good start to the season before sitting down with the club to thrash out a new deal.

What's more comforting for North Melbourne, is the fact Bastinac has publicly stated his desire to remain a Kangaroo on several occasions.

In November he said he "definitely" saw his long-term future being at Aegis Park.

"I'm really happy at the Roos and loving it," Bastinac said at the time.

"I'm looking forward to next year. The speculation is always going to come for people who are out of contract so you can't really do much about that except go about your business."

His management confirmed his position.

"North have obviously showed interest in getting their good young players secured, but there's no rush for Ryan to sign anything at the moment," James Pitcher of Strategic Management Solutions said.

"He missed a lot of football with injury last year (a knee injury sidelined him for North's first 10 games) so he wants to focus on getting ready for the start of the season and then playing as good a footy as he can.

"Ryan is prepared to back himself in to play some good footy and then worry about sorting out a new contract at some time during the season.

"North are very keen to knock (the contract extension) over and obviously there will be a lot of pressure on him to re-sign.

"And the last thing Ryan would want is for this to turn into a saga. So when the time's right he will deal with it then."

North Melbourne has already locked up many of its talented players, most recently re-signing Todd Goldstein.