It’s the day after his 29th Birthday and Michael Firrito sits on a chair in front of the fire in a hotel room in Utah with ice on his right knee.

While it may not be the best picture to paint, have no fear; the defender says he’s in the prime of his career.

“I believe I am. I got a lot of confidence out of last season and if I can get my body right then it’ll be pretty exciting,” Firrito told kangaroos.com.au.

Getting his body right is where the ice comes in. A knee injury, which was well managed through the last part of the 2012 season, required surgery following the elimination final loss against West Coast.

“It wasn’t painful or anything, it was just a bit annoying and uncomfortable. My explosiveness, jumping ability and even pushing off the right leg was a bit inhibited.

“I just had a little clean-out at the end of the season, nothing too serious but it was bothering me…I expect to be back in full training by late December. When the boys have their Christmas break, I’ll try and catch up, train by myself and have a solid two-week block. Then come January, I should be at the same sort of fitness level as the rest of the squad.”

Firrito had one of the best years in his ten-year career with the Roos but acknowledges he dropped off toward the end of the season.

“I was still able to play my role but I did get off to a flying start. I just wasn’t able to keep it up whether that was because of the knee or because I just tired a bit in the second half of the year, I’m not too sure.”

The club’s third oldest player and set to play his 200th AFL game next year, Firrito is still coming to terms with being called a ‘veteran’.

“It (time) certainly goes quickly. I don’t feel like a veteran, I still feel quite young but we do have a young list as well.”

He says being one of the most senior doesn’t come with any added benefits during team selection.

“I know I’m in no different a position that anyone else on the list. If I let my guard down or miss some games, there are certainly plenty of guys who will come in and take my spot. Whilst I’m comfortable in this environment and at the club and I love coming to work every day, I’m always looking to get better and hopefully make the team better.”

Firrito hopes his willingness to take the game on and break the lines has in some way encouraged Shaun Atley and others to follow suit and back themselves in.

“It’s something we lacked in 2011 and a bit before that, so I guess it became a bit of an asset having multiple guys that can run and carry out of the back-half. It certainly makes it easier when you have a few guys that can rebound and mix between defence and attack.”

Taking the younger players under his wing has been enlightening.

“I’m really enjoying it, it’s good to have the new boys come through. I think we’ve got some really good kids and they have some good heads on their shoulders and it’s a joy to work with them.

“It was great this year to have Shaun Atley come back and even Jamie Macmillan a little bit. They’re good kids and are like sponges almost, they listen to everything you say and they just want to learn and take it all on board. To help develop them was pretty exciting and I guess it was probably the first time in my career I really got to have that sort of involvement and I got a lot out of it.”

Now the thought of coaching seems to be growing on the defender.

“Two years ago I would have said ‘no way, it’s not for me’, but probably the development side and the relationships with players is something that I really enjoy and would like to be involved in. I’d certainly like to stay involved when I finish.

“I’m not in the leadership group at the moment but I have been in the past for a few years. I certainly see myself as a leader and I’ll help the skipper out if he ever needs but he’s doing a fantastic job. Down back I have a fair bit of input into the meetings…I guess since Brady Rawlings left I saw it as an opportunity to give a bit more to the group. While I’m not formally a leader, I see myself as being a leader of this football club.”

And he’s relishing the opportunity to have a whole new group of players to work with as the draftees join the squad.

Firrito says if his experience is anything to go by, they’ll fit in just fine.

“It’s intimidating coming over to meet a group of 45 guys who they don’t know. Early in my career I spent a fair bit of time at some different clubs training, but when I came to North, it was such a different and unique club.

“I was well looked after when I started here by the older players like Glenn Archer, Anthony Stevens, Leigh Colbert and Adam Simpson and we’ll certainly carry that attitude forward with the new guys and help them become good North Melbourne people.”