ESSENDON’S desperation to fill its gaping tall defender chasm has sparked the club to lure injury-plagued backman Nathan Grima out of retirement to play as a top-up Bomber.

The ex-North Melbourne backman is close to signing a deal that would see him become the club’s ninth top-up player for 2016, despite only announcing his retirement from the AFL in July 2015 due to persistent back problems.

It’s believed the condition of the 30-year-old’s back has improved over the Christmas break, leading to the defender’s interest in reigniting his footy career this season when the Bombers approached him.

Foxfooty.com.au understands Grima has passed a couple of intense medical screenings in recent weeks at the Bombers and has been cleared by his surgeon and doctors.

Round 18

Nathan Grima could fill the back chasm left by Cale Hooker for 2016 at Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Corp Australia

The Tasmanian, who married Jacinta Spence in December, had intended to play local footy with his two brothers — Alex and Todd — at Strathmore in the Essendon District Football League this year.

Essendon now requires just one more top-up player to complete its allotted 10 short-term signings before the March 15 deadline. Ex-Brisbane ruckman Sam Michael is widely tipped to be the final signing.

Since January, the Bombers have regularly emphasised their desire to land an experienced key-position backman as one of their top-up players, with star defensive duo Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley among the 12 current Essendon players banned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport for this season.

Grima, a genuine key defender with the strength and ability to play above his size, could fill the void left by Hurley and Hooker, who were Essendon’s only “elite” players, according to Champion Data, before the bans were handed down.

Nathan Grima was rated above average for spoils in 2015. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

When fit, Grima was an automatic selection in North’s best 22, providing attacking drive as well as sound defensive skills.

In 2014, he was rated elite for a key defender in metres gained and rebound 50s, as well as above average for intercept possessions, spoils and inside 50s.

But his horror run of injuries ensured he never played more than 17 games in one season. He finished with 86 games from eight years at Arden Street.

Apart from back problems, Grima was also plagued by knee, foot, ankle, finger and hand issues during his stint at North Melbourne.

Grima was originally picked up by North as a mature-age recruit in the 2007 rookie draft after moving to South Australia and producing an impressive SANFL season with Central Districts.