Undoubtedly the highlight of North Melbourne’s win over Essendon was Nathan Grima’s first career goal in his 72nd game.

Just minutes away from equalling the record of most games played for the Kangaroos without a goal, Grima’s left foot snap sent the team into a jubilant celebration.

The defender’s quest for a goal wasn’t brought to the centre of attention until North played Carlton in 2012.

Tweeting special comments for the night from the media box, ex-Roo and housemate Hamish McIntosh spent much of the second half imploring Grima to get forward to get his name on the scoreboard.



Unfortunately for Grima and McIntosh, there was no goal on that night.

Then in the last game of the 2012 home and away season, Grima’s company in the no-goals-club diminished further as Luke Delaney kicked the first of his career from 50 metres out against the GWS Giants.

Despite Andrew Swallow’s protestations that Delaney should have passed, the goal meant that Grima had no other defender with more than 10 games and no majors on the North list.

[RELATED: Swallow confronts Delaney]

2013 passed relatively uneventfully in the first half of the year, Grima unable to sneak into the forward half on too many occasions.

It all seemed to change in Round 14 against GWS, the same opponent which brought Delaney’s first goal.

Grima found himself in space in much the same position as Delaney and his pass to Bastinac bounced, and bounced, and bounced some more before it was touched right on the goal line.

Grima’s devastation was clear to see post-match in the rooms despite the win.

[RELATED: Grima narrowly misses]

And so it went for another few weeks, Grima edging closer and closer to passing Ted Larsen’s record of 72 games without a goal for the Kangaroos.

It was a prime focus at Aegis Park in the lead up to the game against Essendon. Jamie Macmillan was even spotted frantically checking the record books to confirm the record was in play for Grima.

Struggling with a slight foot injury as the game wore on, Grima was almost substituted out of the game with a quarter to go.

However, in what some may call divine intervention, Grima was able to stay on the field and Brad Scott made the decision to throw him up forward, although Swallow may disagree.



Grima probably thought he missed his opportunity when he spilled a pass from Daniel Wells just 35 metres out, but it was clearly a day for a milestone.

Just a couple of minutes later, the ball fell in Grima’s path. Outmuscling Cale Hooker, Grima collected and snapped truly – on his left foot no less.

Every single Roo on the field ran to congratulate the popular defender, capping his career long quest for a goal.

It now leaves Grima in equal 450th position for the 2013 Coleman Medal with two weeks to go.

PRESS PLAY above for Grima's post-match interview | YouTube