This Saturday, Michael Firrito will become just the 10th North Melbourne player to reach the 250 game milestone.

Speaking to the media on the eve of the occasion, Firrito said he was “super proud” of his achievements in the royal blue and white.

Affectionately known to his teammates and Kangaroos fans as ‘Spud’, Firrito said he never imagined reaching such a big milestone when he first showed up at Arden St.

“It’s massive,” Firrito said of his 250th.

“When I first started off the rookie list late in 2002, if you have had told me that, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s a great achievement I’m sure I’ll look back on it when I’ve finished and be really proud.”

PRESS PLAY above to watch the Firrito media conference | YouTube

Despite the important occasion, the 31-year-old is under no illusions of the difficult task facing his side this week, with a young and in-form Western Bulldogs side next on the agenda.

North will be looking to chalk up its eighth win in a row.

“The Bulldogs have had a fantastic year. They’ve got quality on every line,” he said.

“They are a high scoring side, they play a hard, fast, exciting brand of footy. It’s going to be a tough contest, that’s for sure.”

While this week is all about celebrating the historic occasion, Firrito also revealed he nearly didn’t make it to game 250, after giving serious thought to retiring at the end of the 2013 season due to niggling injuries.

The decision to play on has paid dividends for both player and club, with the number 11 playing what he, and many footy pundits believe is career best form.

“My form has been consistent, we’ve been in to finals’ series and a bit of work to do ahead of us at the moment, but it’s a really exciting time.

“It was a tough little period (in 2013). Retirement was one of the things that entered my mind, but since then, it’s probably been the most exciting and enjoyable part of my career.

“When your footy life is staring you in the face, whilst I wasn’t ready to retire, I still thought I had some good footy ahead of me.”

Firrito said he was keen to play on in 2016, but didn’t put a timeframe on any new deal.

“We stay in regular chats with Brad (Scott) and Cam Joyce, our list manager, and we’ve done that the last couple of years.

“The body is feeling really good and the mind is good, which is just as important.

“I can still bring something to the table. I do want to go on, but we’ll see, and we’ll make the right decision.”