When Nick Kommer ran out with his Essendon teammates last Saturday, it brought to a close a 952-day absence from the game. 

Kommer burst on to the scene in 2013 as an ‘in your face’ half forward, renowned for the pressure he provided in the attacking half.

He played 19 games that debut season.  But had to wait more than two years to play his 20^th – the memorable win over Melbourne. 

“This has been one of the most frustrating injuries that we’ve had in the Club in so long,” Club Doctor Bruce Reid said.

“He got very bad patella tendonitis which is the tendon below the knee cap.

“But in addition he had damage under his knee cap.  The surgeon repaired the patella tendon – which did very well and was ready to go in six months – but his kneecap got worse. 

“We were trying to rehab him and he could only get to 80 per cent, so they went in and tried a second clean-up to his knee cap, which once again could only get to 70 or 80 per cent.”

Midway through last season the prospect that Nick Kommer had played his last game was real.

He made some fleeting mid-season VFL appearances, but the knee problems that had plagued the last two years of his career were showing no signs of abating.

“Eventually about August last year we did a lateral release, which is an operation that takes the pressure off from under the knee cap where he was getting pain,” Dr Reid said.

“He’s come through the other end with a knee that would be at least 95 per cent and certainly at a stage that does not affect performance.”

Throughout his recovery, Kommer worked closely with Essendon Rehabilitation Coach Nick Kane.

The pair spent countless hours indoors, while the rest of the team trained on the oval.

“Komsy has done a truckload of work and he’s really driven it and led it along the way,” Kane said. 

“He certainly had some moments where Komsy doubted himself.  We were up and down a lot; we had a lot of setbacks along the way. 

“I always believed he would get back, he loves the Club and really wanted to get out there with the boys.” 

Kommer concedes there were times he wondered if he’d get back, but with the encouragement of teammates and staff, he never gave up. 

“There were doubts… just in terms of my body, but there was great support at Club and they looked after me,” Kommer said. 

Now some of Kommer’s closest friends are embarking on an enforced absence of their own.

Their time apart hasn’t lessened their bond.

“They’re my best mates… but at the same time they’re having a tough time and they’re still giving me the time of day, to send a message – they’re legends.”