Defender Joel Tippett has gained six kilograms of muscle during the off-season and says building up his upper body strength has been a “major” priority.

The 26-year-old pushed himself to the limit in a warehouse-style gym on the Gold Coast over his eight-week break, and has added 11 kilograms of muscle mass since joining North in last year’s rookie draft.

Tippett said he doubled his daily food intake in the off-season and is now confident he can match it with the true power forwards of the competition.

“I had to do a fair bit of eating and lifting (weights) over the break,” Tippett told NMFC.com.au this week.

“It was basically just upping everything that I was eating, having two main meals with each main meal.”

Tippett made his debut for the Roos in round six, managing four consecutive games before his season was cut short by a torn right pectoral muscle against Geelong in round 10.

The 196cm backman has now regained “full strength” in the pectoral muscle and is ready to move forward after his “disappointing” first season at North.

Despite an extended spell on the sidelines, Tippett has taken some confidence out of the year, particularly after his elevation to the primary list.

“That was really exciting and hopefully I can repay some of the faith the club’s shown in me,” he said.

“You never feel comfortable out there (on the field), but I was starting to feel I belonged out there.”

Now at his third AFL club (following stints at the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast), he knows just how difficult it is to break into a senior line-up and maintain a spot in the squad.

But his short-term aim for now is to rebuild his confidence and add to his six-game AFL tally – and then potentially line up against his older brother, Sydney Swans’ power forward Kurt.

“Hopefully I can just get a game, that’s all I’m working towards at the moment,” he said.

“I played my first game against the (Adelaide) Crows (in 2011) when he (Kurt) was at the Crows, and I was only on him for about a minute and the ball didn’t come down, so I’m not too sure how I’d go.

“I’ll give it a crack, though, for sure.”