A fit-again Harry Jones is finally back playing and doing what he loves most.

And while time is against him, he's not giving up on an AFL debut this season.

Having impressed in a pre-season practice match against the Demons, the No.30 draft pick looked set to make strides in his first year until suffering a foot stress fracture during the shutdown period.

It was the 19-year-old's first experience with a serious injury setback, and a tough one to take given the rarity of the fracture.

But after a long and arduous road on the sidelines, Jones' perseverance paid off in a successful return during Friday's scratch match against the Giants.

"It’s the first long-term injury I’ve ever had," Jones said.

"The second week into quarantine, my foot was a bit sore so I called the physios. I went and saw the doctor the next day and had a scan and it showed a stress fracture in my first metatarsal head. It’s a weird spot. I think (head of medical services) David Rundle said he’d only seen it once.

"The first two weeks into that injury, I didn’t really do anything. I slowly started doing some walking, then I went back (to the club) and started on the Alter-G machine but it got sore again, so I was off that for another week and then slowly progressed. Then everyone went away to the Gold Coast. I had a cortisone in the joint a week before we came here, and then after that it was all good.

"Three-and-a-half months I’ve been off. It was a relief to play again and it's so good to be back.

"Hopefully I can get on the park in the ones this year, but we’ll just wait and see. If not, I’ll just get prepared for next year."

Jones was one of five Bombers - Jake Stringer, Patrick Ambrose, Tom Hird and Lachlan Johnson the others - who initially stayed in Melbourne to continue their rehab while their teammates began hub life on the Gold Coast.

But with Victoria's worsening COVID-19 situation extending the stay in Queensland, the decision was made to fly the rehab group to the Gold Coast.

That meant a mandatory two weeks in quarantine in Southport before joining the full cohort at RACV Royal Pines Resort - a period which Jones said helped him grow "great connections" with the experienced Stringer and Ambrose.

He's tightest with his fellow first-year Bombers, and thrilled to be back with two in particular.

"It’s so good to just see everyone again, particularly Ned (Cahill) and Nick (Bryan)," Jones said.

"It’s a good little bond we’ve (first-year players) got going. We stayed together in a house after the draft for about a week and a half, and I think that really helped bring us all together, along with the Irish boys later on.

"Hirdy’s been a good induction as well. He came a bit later, and he’s added great value to the first-year group. We’re all pretty close and get along well. It’s a unique group – Ned and Nick are a bit out there."

Jones will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of his close mate Ned Cahill, who became the Bombers' first AFL debutant of the season in round eight.

While he'll need to quickly make up for lost time to make it happen, he's making a big impression on development coach Leigh Tudor, who has been steering Essendon's reserves in Queensland.

"The best thing about Harry is that he’s in a hurry. He wants to get better every day. He works really hard and he’s got a bubbly personality, which is really good for the group," Tudor said.

"He’s brought a lot of excitement to the Royal Pines – having him and the other boys come from Melbourne. He’s just got so much energy which rubs off on everyone. His enthusiasm to work hard and enjoy life is just fantastic to see. 

"It was just great to see him play on the weekend. He’s just worked so hard on his recovery, so hopefully he gets a little bit of luck now because he’s definitely got what it takes to be a good footballer."