ALBEIT with some frustration, North Melbourne's Michael Firrito has learned to cope with the pressure that accompanies a senior player in a scrutinised backline.

Defenders so often get brickbats but they came hard and heavy after the Kangaroos' 53-point loss to Fremantle in round 12, with the side rattled by Matthew Pavlich's eight-goal performance.

In the two weeks before, Cat Cameron Mooney booted a career-high seven goals and Lions pair Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw combined for 12 against the Roos.

It heightened the concern that North’s defence wouldn’t cope with Hawthorn’s high-profile attack last weekend, but it assembled an emphatic reply in the 27-point win.

“It was pretty good [to win], especially after the week that we had,” Firrito said.

On the back of three successive defeats, there was the hint of strain as the Roos worked to resurrect their season.

And Firrito, who committed to the club for another three years on Tuesday, admits he has felt it at stages.

“I guess there is a little bit more [pressure], especially being one of the more experienced players in our side now, not just in the backline [but] being part of the leadership group and all that,” he said.

“It's been good for my development, [and] it certainly takes a little while to get used to I guess.

“It's been frustrating for myself but I feel a lot more comfortable with it now and I'm hoping that in the second half of the year I'll be able to bring it all together.”

Goals conceded had reflected poorly on Firrito and his fellow backmen, and the 24-year-old also questioned his form.

“It's been a bit inconsistent,” he said. “It has been a little bit difficult. Especially the last month has been pretty tough.

“We miss Glenn Archer a bit more than what people would have thought. It's so different not having him there and it's probably taken a little while to get used to.”

So too has the effect of Firrito’s interrupted pre-season, which saw him begin full training a month into the new year after recovering from a foot injury carried through a good part of his defining 2007.

That’s why the looming mid-season break should come in handy.

“It (the season) is pretty hard [on the body],” he said. “Last year I really struggled. It was a long season … [but] at the moment my body's actually pretty good.

“I can't complain too much but it certainly takes its toll come round 17, 18, 19, towards the end of the year. It starts to get a bit of a grind.

“I guess that's where teams get their edge, shaping the eight and top four and everything. That's where you make your mark.”

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.