Things got pretty tough for veteran Michael Firrito throughout the year.  After playing some solid football, the defender struggled to retain his form with some niggling injuries begging to take their toll.

A troublesome knee and quad muscle got the better of the 29-year-old and given the stability of North’s other key defensive posts, everything conspired against him.

He admits having to contemplate throwing in the towel.

“I saw a few specialists and I was speaking to Brad (Scott) regularly about my status.

“When I spoke to the surgeons, if they had said my body’s not going to hold up and get through a pre-season, then I would have given it away.”

Thankfully for the number 11, the news couldn’t have been better and he was assured there’s nothing to worry about looking forward to next year and beyond.

“I need to be strong and fit to be at my best, so the surgeons saying I will get through instilled a lot of confidence in me.”

The future for Firrito is bright and he’ll now aim to attack a 12th season at North Melbourne after signing a new one-year deal.

“I was rapt to get another deal,” Firrito told NMFC.com.au.

“It’s going to be exciting times at the football club. I’ve been here for a long time but I want to be a part of the future.”

“I still think I have something to add – I’ve probably got a few knockers out there that disagree but I’m certainly prepared to get back to working hard and seeing where the season takes us.”

After playing just 17 games, his lowest tally since 2006, Firrito wants  to enjoy a full pre-season – something he couldn’t achieve last year.

“From day one of the Utah camp, I’ll be ready to go and join in with the group.

“Last year, I’d had a big knee arthroscopy so I wasn’t able to do anything with the main group before Christmas.

“You can cross train as much as you like but it’s not the same.”

After succumbing to various issues following the Round 16 clash against Brisbane, Firrito spent six weeks out of the senior side on the road back.

“When I came out of the side, I played one game back in the VFL.

“After that, I took a couple of weeks off to work closely with our physios Steve Saunders and Simon Anning to re-strengthen and have a bit of treatment.

“The knee and the quad responded really well.”

Coming back into the senior side in the last fortnight of the season, Firrito was met with tough challenges facing Lance Franklin and then Travis Cloke.

Despite Franklin and Cloke both kicking five goals, it was commonly accepted that Firrito acquitted himself well, especially against the Hawk. The performances boosted the number 11’s confidence.

“While those guys (Franklin and Cloke) aren’t my ideal matchup, with (Nathan) Grima and (Scott) Thompson out, it forced me to play those roles a little bit. I felt strong and powerful and quick again in the last fortnight.”

The off-season is shaping to be a life-changer for Firrito with his wife Bonnie expecting their first child.

“She’s ready to go almost any second now so I’ll be sticking around in Melbourne (over the off-season).

“I’ve never changed a dirty nappy so I’ll be very much domesticated in a couple of months time.”