After four years at North, Jamie Macmillan is well accustomed to the time when ‘off-season’ suddenly becomes ‘pre-season’.

The 22-year old is ready for another trip to Utah and knows the most difficult part of the camp won’t be dealing with the physical pain.

“For three weeks straight it can do your head in a little bit and that’s part of the mental challenge.  I think the biggest thing is when you do get that time off, you really need to put your feet up and relax with the other guys and switch off from footy,” Macmillan told NMFC.com.au.

“I’m definitely more prepared because I’ve been there before and you sort of know roughly what to expect, but when you’re on a camp it can be all consuming.

“It’s a matter of finding things to do…every year that probably gets harder because where we stay there’s only so many things you can do and so many games of pool you can play or so many trips to the markets or shops you can make.”

21-days training away from home, high in the mountains tests players in many different ways.

“Living in hotels for three weeks straight, training and backing up every day challenges you a fair bit,” Macmillan added.

“The older guys, being away from their young family challenges them and for the younger guys who aren’t as fit or not as used to as many arduous pre-seasons, they find it pretty tough as well.  There’s different challenges for everyone.”

But despite what awaits him, the young defender still can’t wait to get there.

“I’m very much looking forward to it.  I guess it’s like anything, once you have a bit of a break you’re itching to get back into it.  There’s only so much training you can do by yourself before it starts to get a bit repetitive…it’s better to be running around feeling the pain with everyone else.”

Some new faces will also freshen things up with Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Tudor and Gavin Brown just a few of the acquisitions Macmillan is looking forward to meeting.

“I haven’t met any of them yet so it will be good. Being away for three weeks you get a good chance to get to know everyone.

“One year I roomed with Will Sierakowski his first year and last year when the draftees came over, I was with Taylor Garner.  It gives you a good chance to get to know them.”

Macmillan admits there’s no room for any hiccups and knows the start of the 2014 season will come around quickly.

“I come back to training on the 6th of November, have two weeks in Melbourne, three weeks in Utah, then another two back in Melbourne, then it’s Christmas and before you know it, you’re pulling the jumper on playing again.”