The 26-year-old has suffered his fair share of injuries since joining the club back in 2008, but his most recent setback was one of the hardest to swallow.
With a full pre-season under his belt, Grima strained a medial ligament against the Tigers in the opening round of the NAB Cup and didn’t make his AFL return until a fortnight ago.
“To get injured in the first NAB Cup game was extremely frustrating,” Grima told The Examiner.
Not one to dwell on his misfortune though, the key-defender is now adamant to make the most of another chance in the royal blue and white.
On Sunday he had 21 possessions and took five marks, and he put his increase in numbers down to having bigger, strong defenders alongside down back.
“With Luke Delaney and Scotty Thompson doing a job on the big boys, it allowed me to play on a variety of opponents and set up,” Grima added.
“It was good to be able to contribute and start to get back to my form from a couple of years ago.”
Grima played 17 games in 2010 and lined up in every one of the club’s 11 wins, but back surgery in the summer hindered his form last season.
Back in his home state of Tasmania as North prepares to play Hawthorn, Grima signalled the importance of a victory.
“Every game is a big game, but we get our mid-season break after this, so we'd want to go into that with a win.
“It's a little early to rule in or rule out finals, but you don't want to lose touch with the top eight.”
