FIT AND rejuvenated, Brisbane Lions premiership ruckman Jamie Charman is looking forward to putting his injury-ravaged 2009 season behind him.

The 27-year-old was helped from the field against Collingwood in round four after badly spraining his ankle and, as his side moved towards its finals series since 2004, he underwent a reconstruction of the joint.

Not only has he recovered, but the 200cm, 105kg giant feels better than he has in a long time.

"It's my first pre-season in six years so I'm feeling good," he said.

"Things are flying. I've never started a pre-season and I did six or seven weeks before Christmas so it was good going into the break knowing I had a base.

"For most of last season I wasn't playing and I missed all the hype with Vossy's (coach Michael Voss) first year and the finals and everything so it has really motivated me and kept me hungry.

"It was hard being separated from the group, so this year it's been sensational."

Charman said that Voss' new-look coaching structure and training drills made it seem as though he was preparing for his first season again.

"I wasn't here for meetings and things like that (when I was injured), so it's like another start," he said.

Charman added that he would continue to pick up the pace as the Lions built into their NAB Cup clash with the Western Bulldogs on February 14.

He was unsure what Voss had planned for him but was hopeful of seeing some action over the pre-season to help blow the cobwebs out before round one.

Expect Charman to battle hard to resume in the ruck with the Lions now boasting a three-pronged attack.

Mitch Clark shone in the main role in 2009 and was shortlisted for the All-Australian team, while 2006 first-round draft pick Matthew Leuenberger has rediscovered fitness after a knee injury and illness ruined his season.

Full of praise for Clark's efforts last season, Charman said he was excited about the in-house competition.

"I'm all about training hard and putting myself up for selection," he said. "Whatever happens happens, but I'll be having a red hot crack.

"Mitch is a great player and he's had to overcome injuries so it was great he could show everyone what he could do.

"It's great for the club when there are three [ruckmen] up and running. It's rare that it happens at any club and I think it's awesome for the Lions.

"There'll be some good selection battles during the year in a lot of positions and it can only be good for the club to have those problems."