Michael Firrito’s ongoing battle with umpire Chris Donlon proved an enjoyable sideshow to Saturday’s match.

The question ‘Are you kidding?’ is on everyone’s lips at Arden Street and on social media after the North defender made it famous.

“The boys are all over me downstairs in the gym, that’s all they’re saying,” Firrito told NMFC.com.au

“I’m probably going to have to wear that for a couple of weeks until they forget about it. Hopefully something else happens this week and it’s all done and forgotten.”
Firrito denies taking ‘angry pills’ on the morning of the match, but offered another reason for his bad temper.

“I was a bit angry wasn’t I? They were really small beds in Canberra so maybe I got up on the wrong side or something.”

The second quarter conversation with Donlon was one of several captured by the umpire’s microphone and the audio allowed the Channel 7 commentators to have a field day at Firrito’s expense.

“Welcome to the Michael Firrito Show,” Hamish McLachlan joked.

Firrito says he was unaware his argument was being heard across the country.

“I didn’t know it was going to be so clear and precise on the effects mic, but you could hear everything that was being said. That’s the furthest thing from your mind (audio being captured).

His family and friends were quick to tell him.

“I was a bit embarrassed about it to be honest. I knew something was up after the game; I checked my phone and I had 12 or 13 messages and a few missed calls, and I was thinking that’s only when you play a really good game…. I didn’t play that well, or something’s happened, so I knew something was going on.”

PRESS PLAY above to watch Firrito’s thoughts on the incidents | YouTube

Having been umpired by Donlon since his early VFL days, Firrito insists there are no hard feelings and even approached his ‘old mate’ in the Virgin Lounge just to clear the air.