The 26-year-old premiership star has been struggling for match fitness but played four quarters for the Lions reserves in their 112-point drubbing of Aspley in the AFLQ on the weekend.
Lions coach Michael Voss says Charman will be much better for the run.
“He was able to go back and get a full game under his belt, which is exactly what he needed to be able to do,” Voss said.
“That game that he’s had has become quite crucial, so he should come in much more confident this week knowing that he’s done what’s needed.”
Charman played the first two games of the AFL season, registering 10 hit outs and 11 disposals against the Eagles, and 15 hit outs and five disposals against Carlton.
But with Leuenberger gone for up to three months, Charman’s fitness has become a key factor in the Lions being able to win the ball from the centre.
“He’s got to go back and get himself fit so he can survive the season and not just scrape in week to week,” Voss said.
Voss said Leuenberger could not straighten his left knee after the game but was moving it freely the following day, which is a positive sign.
Back up ruckman Mitch Clark filled in admirably against the Swans, having 20 hit outs and providing a handy mobile big man.
“Having Mitch being able to roam around the ground just gave us a different type on the weekend. His aggression at the contest and his attitude and his ability to be able to get after the ball was something that he added to our team,” Voss said.
And while Voss admits Clark will provide a good match up for Josh Fraser, Collingwood’s main ruckman who also likes to roam the ground gathering possessions, he’s not tempted to let Clark go it alone.
“If Leuenberger’s out then Charman comes quite clearly into the picture,” Voss said.
“Being able to have a couple of guys who can have a go at him is going to be pretty important.”
