BRISBANE Lions ruckman Jamie Charman has begun the road back to AFL football after battling injuries that have limited him to just three matches in the past three seasons.

Charman 29, returned to the field last weekend against Gold Coast reserves.

His bad luck began in round four, 2009, when what was originally thought to be a sprained ankle suffered against Collingwood turned into season-ending surgery.

After a full pre-season in 2010, Charman was cut down again just 10 minutes into a NAB Challenge match against Carlton in Melbourne with injury to his other ankle, which led to more surgery and another season on the sidelines.

Finally, after a much slower than expected recovery, he made his comeback with half a match in the forward line last Saturday.

"It's been a long road since I last played last pre-season. It's been a frustrating time but it felt good to get out there on the weekend," Charman said.

"It's been very, very long. I'm pretty grateful that Vossy and the club have stuck by me. They've been fantastic for me.

"I think the worst thing is when you're not improving; when you set a goal and you don't reach it and get knocked back a bit. That's the hardest thing and probably drew out the year.

"The last 18 months has been very frustrating. You get a bit wound up when the season starts and you feel far away but there is the times when you think 'Is it worth it?', but on the weekend I kicked the first goal and even though it was in the twos it was a great buzz to be back out there from where I've come from."

After such a prolonged stint out of action, it's easy forget the impact Charman has had on the Lions.

After dual premiership ruckmen Beau McDonald and Clark Keating both suffered injuries during 2003, a young Charman took over the number-one ruck mantle and took the Lions all the way to a third premiership.

From there he became a mainstay in the team, and despite suffering from knee (2004), lower leg fracture (2005) and shoulder reconstruction (2006) injuries that cost him plenty of matches, his value was never undersold.

During his most recent setback Charman, who has played 129 senior matches, kept fit with lots of cycling and also returned to his junior swimming club at Bracken Ridge for up to five sessions a week.

He has also worked with rookie ruckmen Bart McCulloch and Broc McCauley while regular ruck coach McDonald has been laid-up with illness.

Now in the final year of his contract, Charman insisted he had not lost his ability but was putting no expectations on the final five weeks of the season.

He said it was best for him and the club to wait and see how he performed before making any decisions on the future.

"They have to see if I can get back and play," Charman said.

"For me I've got to leave nothing in the tank and push things through the back end of the year and see what the next few weeks bring.

"There's five games left for us so it's about having a big crack at it.

"Everything else in the body is feeling fantastic. I've had the time off and feeling really good.

"I'm looking forward to getting back in the ruck. My jumping's been really good, I've still got my spring and feel like I've got my leap, so I'm not doubting myself there that's for sure."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting