DELISTED North Melbourne defender Michael Firrito will continue his playing career in the Essendon District Football League next year.

The 32-year-old has signed on at Strathmore as a playing assistant coach, teaming up with former Kangaroos teammate Nathan Grima who has taken over the role as a club’s senior coach.

A veteran of 275 AFL games, Firrito’s signing is a major coup for the Mores who are determined to climb the ladder after missing finals both years since their 2014 premiership.

“I’m tipping he’ll be pretty handy in our competition,” Strathmore president John Elliott said.

media_camera Michael Firrito walks off the ground for North Melbourne for the last time after the Kangaroos’ elimination final loss to Adelaide last month. Picture: Michael Klein

Grima signed on as a player with Strathmore late last year after retiring from North Melbourne but went on to join Essendon as a top-up player in February in the wake of the club’s supplement saga.

The defender managed two AFL games with the Bombers this year to make for 88 games across eight seasons at the top level.

Grima — who initially retired due to a persistent back injury — is understood to be feeling good and expects to take to the field for Strathmore next season.

The 31-year-old takes over the club’s top job from Craig Clinnick, who stepped aside in May due to work commitments.

“It was a pretty easy decision (choosing Grima) because by electing him coach we kept six or seven players as well with his brothers (Alex and Todd), (Hamish) McIntosh, Firrito has come on board,” Elliott said.

“But he’s a very good guy and he’s helped out with a little bit of backline coaching before.”

Strathmore has also secured former Carlton midfielder Jaryd Cachia for the 2017 season.

The 25-year-old spent two years at the Blues in 2013 and 2014, playing 14 AFL games.

Cachia played for Richmond’s VFL side in 2015 before returning to SANFL side Norwood for the 2016 season.