Essendon’s Andrew Welsh has made a successful VFL return from a serious abdominal strain.

Welsh, 28, played a pivotal role in the Bendgo Bombers 27-point win against North Ballarat on Saturday and said his body has never felt better. 

“It’s probably the first time in a couple of years that I haven’t felt anything in the hip or groin which has troubled me for a while now,” he said.

“I’ve pulled up well today and that’s probably the best sign of all the way you pull up following an injury.” 

Welsh said it was great to run out the game as he builds towards a senior return.

“It was good to be out there, you do all the training and all the fitness work but there’s no fitness like match fitness,” he said