“Really inspirational”: Star Gold Coast defender closing in on AFL return

Star Gold Coast defender Charlie Ballard is closing in on an AFL return after getting through his return game in the VFL on Friday night unscathed.

Ballard had his first competitive hitout since an ACL rupture suffered in Round 1 last year, playing 62 minutes in a VFL scratch match against Southport.

The Suns VFL side will take on QAFL side Palm Beach on Sunday at People First Stadium, with the plan for Ballard to play full minutes.

Should he get through that without issue, he is set to be available for AFL selection in the Suns' Round 2 clash with Richmond.

"He took a few intercept marks which we know is his number one strength and he used the ball well," Suns VFL coach Tate Kaesler told Zero Hanger.

The headline-grabbing performance of recruit Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who responded to his selection snubbing by kicking six goals in the VFL, overshadowed the 26-year-old's return, but that was the feel-good story of the night.

He was described following his ACL injury by AFL coach Damien Hardwick as a "glue-guy" and had a significant impact on the young defenders according to Kaesler.

"Some of the younger guys, for them to have Charlie back there along with Caleb Graham was really influential to keep these guys tracking in the right direction," Kaesler said.

"As well as he played, it was his leadership that he brings that was really pleasing.

"Being able to teach younger guys and have strong conversations with older guys about the style we want to play, especially around non-negotiables in our back half, is where Charlie has been stepping up helping out guys like Sam Collins throughout pre-season so we are playing the Suns brand of footy in the back half.

"It's really inspirational to see someone go through injuries like that and see what he has done to get back on track.

"It lifts the group and from a coach's perspective, gives you another player to choose from and puts pressure on the AFL backs because they know he's coming so they need to keep performing."

Kaesler also offered an insight into what Ugle-Hagan provided.

Hardwick expressed after the AFL game his desire to get him into the senior side as soon as appropriate, with his strong outing strengthening his case.

"Jamarra was jumping at the footy, (putting) pressure on the ball, his follow up stuff (was impressive) so it was really good for him to come back and play like that as well," Kaesler said.

"We know Jamarra is a real long-term prospect for our footy club so we just want to make sure we're getting him absolutely cherry ripe before he comes into the AFL system.

"He played a couple of (AFL practice) games and did pretty well but we thought it was time to not put any pressure on him and keep creating an environment where he is really loving his footy.

"He was having fun, jumping at the footy, putting pressure on, he was a real weapon ahead of the ball so it's a good step forward in the long term prospect we're working on for Jamarra."