TWO YEARS ago Michael Firrito’s football future flashed before his eyes.

It happened in the weeks after North Melbourne’s 2013 season had finished on the first day of spring with an encouraging win over finals-bound Collingwood.

Firrito remained out of contract as the Roos embarked on their post-season exit interviews and he soon realised his chances of winning a new contract were lineball.

At the time, the defender was three months shy of his 30th birthday and was coming off an uncharacteristically poor season.

Niggling knee and quadriceps injuries had eventually taken such a toll on Firrito’s form and confidence that after North’s disappointing round 16 loss to the Brisbane Lions – after leading by 32 points early in the second half – he told coach Brad Scott he needed a spell in the VFL.

On the eve of his 250th AFL game on Saturday, Firrito told the AFL Record he had been a long way off his best for several weeks leading up to the Lions loss, but had told himself he could work his way back into form.

"But after the Brisbane game we lost up there, I went and saw Brad on the Monday morning and said, 'I’m not up to it at the moment, I need a spell'," Firrito said.

"It was a really tough time because physically I just needed some time away, and mentally I think the game almost got the better of me a bit as well."

Firrito spent five weeks out of the Roos team and, in between playing three games in the VFL with Werribee, he took two weeks off football to freshen up.

He was recalled for North’s final two games when key defenders Scott Thompson and Nathan Grima were sidelined with injury, and performed solidly.

But Firrito still had to wait another three weeks before a new one-year deal was formalised.

Almost two years later, he’s again playing consistently solid football. He has missed just one game, through suspension, in round 19.

In the AFL Record interview, Firrito said North’s two wins in finals last season (against Essendon and Geelong) were career highlights.

"To have my footy life flash before my eyes and then to work my way back on to the list, into our best team and into a finals series was pretty exciting," he said. 

Read the full Michael Firrito feature in the round 22 edition of the AFL Record, available at all grounds.