Gold Coast backline coach Josh Drummond has spoken on where Charlie Ballard sits in AFL selection.
The 138-gamer played four games early this season, returning from an ACL injury, before returning to the VFL.
Speaking to Zero Hanger, Drummond pointed to the squeeze that has been on selection in the backline in recent weeks following the emergence of Oscar Adams.
“'Chucky' has been an unbelievably valuable player for us over the years. When times are tough, him and ‘Collo' were fronting up a lot. He's one of the better intercepting players in the competition,” Drummond told Zero Hanger.
“The thing with ‘Chucky' is he's had 12 months out of the game and bounced quicker than we thought with his rehab. He did a great job with his rehab, came in, hit the ground running and as we all do, he had a couple of performances below what we know he's capable of but it's completely understandable given his time out of the game.”
“With the form he was in, it was more just about picking who we thought the best mix was at that time. ‘Chucky's' job has been to go back and put his best foot forward which he has done. He's an AFL quality player, there's no doubt about that.
“I'm sure he'll come through this situation and be a better player coming out of it.”
Outside of the second half against North Melbourne, the consistency of the Suns backline across the last month poses a challenge for Ballard to return to the line-up.
The Suns have found a balance which challenges opposition line-ups in different ways, with the dour competitiveness of Oscar Adams and Sam Collins complemented by hybrids Wil Powell and Bodhi Uwland and attacking half-back trio John Noble, Joel Jeffrey and Dan Rioli.
The clearest avenue for him back into the side is for Adams, but he looks to be establishing himself in the line-up, growing in confidence with each game.
Ballard had 18 disposals and took six marks in the VFL on Saturday.
