Nathan Grima says he is ready to make his Essendon debut should an opportunity arise in the defensive half.

It is a line he has quoted often since signing as a Bombers player, but one that he now truly believes.

A successful surgical procedure towards the end of last year has freed the rebounding defender of the back pain that ended his career at North Melbourne after 86 games. 

The 30 year-old has now been able to string four VFL games together after a number of practice matches in the pre-season, the longest run of games in his career since 2013.

“I haven’t played any footy in the 18 months prior to this, but it’s more the fact I have been able to train every session,” Grima said.

“My last couple of years at North I got to the stage where I was just a match day player that did some light strides through the week and it’s a bloody tough competition when you are doing that.

“I have a lot to work on still, but I feel I am starting to get close.”

Grima was best afield for the VFL Bombers in Sunday’s loss to the Casey Scorpions, taking a game high 10 marks to go with his 16 kicks, four handballs and nine rebound 50’s.

He also had the key role of stopping Travis Cloke in the Bombers round three win, restricting the Collingwood spearhead to five disposals.

“I had a good chat with Woosha last week, he knows if an opportunity comes up that I’m good to go,” Grima said.

“I feel like I’ve put six or seven games together now, if I played AFL no doubt not having been there for a couple of years I’d be blowing pretty hard that first game, but I’m looking forward to that opportunity when it comes.

“I would have said I was ready the day I was tapped on the shoulder to come back, but my confidence is coming back and footy is a confidence game.  

“With a bit of luck, hopefully I get an opportunity and get to play AFL for the Essendon Football Club - I would love that.”

If Grima is to earn a senior recall, it would be his first AFL match since North Melbourne’s loss to the Sydney Swans in the 2014 preliminary final.

If not this week, his return could come against his former club next Saturday at Etihad Stadium.

Until then, Grima says he is relishing his time in the VFL and the fact he is simply playing the game he loves.

“I’m loving my time here in the VFL. I’m 30 years-old now, I feel like the old man of the group, if I can pass on any knowledge and help the younger guys, I love doing that,” he said.

“I would love to get in and get an opportunity to taste that AFL experience again, but I respect the fact that there are guys in my position doing a good job.

“If I can help ‘Harts’ (Michael Hartley) improve throughout the year and ‘Gwilty’ (James Gwilt) keeps playing great footy and I don’t get an opportunity – well that’s just footy.

“I’m not dropping my bundle because I’m not in the seniors, I’ll keep fronting up and try to play my best with the VFL.”

After two 85-point wins, Sunday’s loss leaves the Bombers with two wins from their four matches and in fifth position on the ladder.

“I think we have a team here in the VFL that can play finals and that can build each week,” Grima said.

“The boys are really disappointed with Sunday’s loss but we thought we were a chance to win the game right up to the last few minutes which is a positive.

“Unfortunately we didn’t make the most of our opportunities with the wind and they were a little bit cleaner and probably wanted it a little bit more.

“These are the ones that are a bit gritty and not pretty to watch, but they can be the best ones to win. We will lick our wounds and come back next week.”

The fifth placed Bombers host the sixth placed Geelong in a must win contest at Windy Hill from 12pm on Saturday.