Michael Firrito is in the midst of a remarkable career turnaround, one even he didn't see coming.

After a disappointing 2013 plagued by injury, the veteran defender felt the end of his career was coming to an end.

But North re-signed him for another year and it has paid dividends.

The call from Brad Scott came through on a significant September day for the 222-gamer, with the birth of his son Lenny also occurring.

“I was over the moon,” Firrito told the Herald Sun's Glenn McFarlane this week.

“It was the best day of my life — to see my little boy for the first time.

“It all happened in a 24-hour period. On the same day I got the news that we were going to be going around for another year.”

Nine-months on, Firrito is in scintillating form.

“It’s been good so far,” he said.

“I guess you always have some doubts as a footballer. But I always felt as if I wasn’t at my best physically last year and deep down I knew that if I could get my body right, I would be OK.

“That’s why I was grateful that Brad and the club showed faith in me. Hopefully, I have been able to repay that a bit.”

Now 30, Firrito has been a vital component of North's 22.

"I was certainly tested last year and I think I have responded."

Firrito leads the AFL in intercept possessions since Round 4 — with 92 — and is ranked third overall for intercept marks. He has also averaged more than 400 metres gained in his 12 games this season.

Instead of contemplating retirement, he's rightly considering an extension.

“I think some people thought I might have been done,” he said.

“Doubts did creep into my mind, but I had some good people around me — my family, my wife, the coach, and my close mates around the club.

“I would love to keep going if that works out.

“There have been some good times for the club while I’ve been here. We made the preliminary final one year (2007). But there have also been some tough times.

“It’s an exciting time for our footy club now and I’d like to stay a part of it. I would love to keep going around if it works out that way.”

Firrito first realised he still had what it takes in the final few rounds last year when he was thrown the task of playing on Lance Franklin and Travis Cloke. While off-season surgery had impacted his preparation throughout the season, the assignments proved he was still more than capable of mixing it with the best.

“I felt it impacted on me,” he said of his knee and quad injuries.

“I wasn’t at my best physically. I really battled.

“It was a bit of a cumulative effect. I wasn’t training during the week. I was out of form and it all got on top of me a bit.”

Playing in the VFL, he finally received a call-up to the senior side.

“I felt like I had a reasonable game (on Franklin) and then the next week played on Cloke,” he said.

“They were not my ideal roles, but I did what I had to do for the team.

“I felt like I had my power back. I felt like I had my agility back as well as the speed that allows me to be a good player. Brad backed me in which I am really grateful for, and I’ve been able to stay out on the park this year.

“And I feel as if I am in a much better place now.”

With the rampaging Firrito back to his best, North has won 10 of its 16 games.

“We’ve got six games to go, and we see this as our chance to hit our straps,” he added.

“We’ve just got keep working hard and making the most of our chances.”

Intercepts Round 4-17
Michael Firrito (NM) 92
Lynden Dunn (Melb) 91
Cale Hooker (Ess) 91
Troy Chaplin (Rich) 85
Ted Richards (Syd) 84
Michael Hurley 94

- Firrito has also had 29 intercept marks this year, which ranks equal third in that time
- Has averaged 408 metres gained per game, which ranks second at North Melbourne
- Is averaging 17.7 possessions per game, three more than last season, and four Rebound 50s, the equal most of his career

Source: CHAMPION DATA