Brisbane recruit Ryan Bastinac has claimed North Melbourne pushed him away from the role that suited him best before trading him to the Lions in the AFL off-season.

But Bastinac reckons there will be no hard feelings when he lines up against his former club at the Gabba on Saturday.

Bastinac played 121 games for the Kangaroos but was used in a more outside midfield role in recent seasons and was left out of North’s 2015 finals campaign.

“Things weren’t going the way I would have liked and I got pushed out a fair bit and away from the role I’m good at,” Bastinac said of his time at the Roos.

“So the opportunity to come up here and be part of a young group, help some younger guys out and be a part of a pretty good midfield was something I couldn’t go past.”

Asked what it would be like to run out against his former club, the 24-year-old Bastinac said: “I’ve trained with them and played with them for six years, so playing against them will be a bit different.

“(But) personally I needed a fresh start.

“(And) they (North) have got a lot of quality midfielders in their team – I’m sure they’re pretty happy with what they’ve got.”

Bastinac said Brisbane weren’t happy with a 64-point season opening loss to West Coast in Perth but were encouraged by cracking the 100-point barrier – something they only did four times last season.

“For a younger group to go over there and play the way we did and not give up, play four quarters, and that the effort was there the whole game, was really pleasing,” he said.

“We can’t go away from taking risks and playing that attacking style.

“That’s what’s going to win us games.”