Michael Firrito excited about recruits
Heading into North Melbourne's first NAB Cup clash, Michael Firrito is eager to see the new recruits.
"They're definitely going to bring something to the table and add a lot to us. Benny Jacobs, very impressive, very good skills on both sides of his body. Jordie (Jordan) Gysberts, very clean with his hands and Taylor Hine, very tough and can always do a job for us. It's an exciting mix for us and they're young as well so there's a lot of footy ahead of them,” Firrito told 1116 SEN radio.
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Jacobs and Gysberts will have a chance to shine on Friday while Hine has to bide his time for a little longer.
Another player who supporters are excited to see is Majak Daw in his first year on the senior list.
The 29-year-old Firrito is happy with improvement in the ruckman/forward over the summer.
"It's exciting times for Majak. He'll get a look on Friday night and he's a very impressive athlete. I think at his best he'll be very hard to stop. The thing with Maj is trying to get that continuity in his game and staying up for the majority of the time.
"He's had a very good pre-season, done all the right things and he's laid a great foundation for himself.
"He's knuckled down. His running and strength has continued to improve. As most young guys come in it's quite a difference from Under 18's so it's taken him a little while to find his feet but he's certainly on the right track now."
While the focus is on Daw, Firrito mused that perhaps other Roos have been flying under the radar, something that could change soon.
"It tends to be the way (players flying under the radar) which hopefully we can change about North Melbourne.
"Shaun Atley was one and he goes under the football radar. I'm not too sure how long he will continue to float under that for because he's a fantastic player.
"Andrew Swallow is an A-grade midfielder and I don't think there's any doubt about that. He's tough, he's good outside as well and he kicks goals so he's certainly handy."
To finish 2012, North Melbourne went 10-2 over the last three months with several stirring wins over quality opposition. It was a drastic change from the month before the mid-season bye, when it lost three of four games, culminating in the 115-point loss to Hawthorn in Round 10.
"It was fantastic when we started winning games, the feeling around the club was very exciting. It was great to be a part of that coming off a disappointing 2011. Hopefully I can carry that into this season and play some great footy for our football club."
The defender has spent almost his entire career in the back half and while he possesses a line-breaking long kick, he can't see a change in role anytime soon.
"I played a little bit through the midfield earlier in my career but I'm pretty happy to stay down back. We've got a good group down there and exciting young kids coming through so it's a pleasure to work with them and watch them grow."