For Derick Micallef in 2013, it was one of the hardest days of his life.

Micallef was forced to watch his North Ballarat City teammates boot the last eight goals of the match to storm home over Sunbury and claim its maiden Ballarat Football League premiership.

Granted, he was not part of the winning team on the day, but the star forward had been instrumental all year in establishing North City as the powerhouse it is these days.

But when it came to the biggest day of all, he was left on the outer.

Not because he was not good enough but because he had been struck down by a debilitating back injury.

Micallef copped a knee in the back in the first final against Redan last year, but courageously played out the rest of the game.

He originally thought he had just suffered bruising but found out a few days later he had suffered transverse process fractures, or more simply – a broken back.

“I knew after three days I was gone, I was having trouble even standing up out of chairs or anything like that. There was no way I could play footy,” Micallef said.

“It was the hardest three or four weeks of my life. In my mind I knew I couldn’t play but I kept trying to tell Robbie (coach Rob Waters) that I was right.

“I was trying to convince myself it had come at the right time because even though it’s a seven-to-eight week injury, I wouldn’t miss eight games. But deep down I knew I was missing the big one.”

If there was any comfort for Micallef, it was that he could share the pain with teammate Tristan Cartledge.

Like Micallef, Cartledge was forced to watch on as North City lifted the premiership cup, missing the finals series with a broken hand.

“He was the first bloke I went up to after we made the grand final this year,” Micallef said.

“I guess were grew that bit closer last year during the finals because neither of us could play. 

“We sat there watching the games together and we could almost feel it together and that probably helped both of us.”

Micallef has kicked 56 goals in just 16 games this year, but here’s the twist: last year he finished with the exact same amount of goals from the exact same amount of games.

This time, he will have the chance to improve his season tally in the biggest game of the year.

And all signs suggest that is going to happen.

The talented left-footer with an inherent goal sense has not been held goalless yet this year, averaging 3.5 goals per game throughout the year.

Not that he is putting any focus on his yearly tally; it is all about adding to his premiership collection.

Micallef won two BFL flags with Redan in 2006 and 2007, before tasting VFL success with North Ballarat Roosters in 2010.

However, he did admit he was somewhat relieved not to have to clash with a lot of his former teammates at Redan this year.

“I honestly thought we would be playing Redan but saying that, Ballarat were brilliant last week,” Micallef said. “But it doesn’t matter who we play, we’re ready for anyone.”

If North are in front at the final siren on Saturday, it is safe to say Micallef will finally feel that elation once again.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au