The pain Nathan Grima has woken up with for most of the last five years has gone as he prepares to resume his AFL career. 

Grima joined the Bombers this week after a back problem brought an end to his 86 game-career at the Kangaroos midway through last year.

But a successful surgical procedure towards the end of last year has freed the rebounding defender of the back pain that has been a constant throughout most of his professional career. 

“I feel unbelieveable.  I haven’t had back pain in the morning for three months.  I hadn’t had that in the past five years,” he said. 

“I’d been able to clear my head mentally, I was in a pretty nasty space when I had the third back operation last year.

“I’ve been training with Strathmore Football Club since November.  Whilst it’s not AFL intensity, I’d done more work in that period than I had at North over the last few years because of a nagging back injury.” 

Grima was at Essendon headquarters today. 

Just six months ago, he was in hospital recovering from his third back operation. 

The thought of resuming his AFL career was not on his radar.

"I would've just said (then) 'get out of here before I jump out of this bed and give you a hiding because you're taking the mickey out of me' almost," he said. 

"That's why I'm so happy and passionate about it - because it's football, it's a game, and we love it. 

"Whilst there's people who are negative about me playing and will say 'he's past it' … well, in 10 years time when I'm sitting back with my kids and wife, I'll say how good was that year at Essendon, those two games I played before I broke down," he joked.

Grima is hoping to feature in the Bombers final NAB Challenge match against West Coast on March 13.

“I’m not naïve to think I’m AFL match ready,” he said.

“It’s a bloody tough competition. 

“Hopefully I can play a half in the last game.  If I’m not there in round one, it’s not the end of the world.

“I’m going to give everything I can for this footy club and reward the guys that gave me a chance.”