Kade Kolodjashnij is a good chance to make his return to AFL football against the Western Bulldogs after the rising defender was left out of the round nine side due to a minor knee injury.

The prized No. 5 pick from last year’s national draft has been the best performing first-year player so far this season, averaging a superb 21 disposals from his six senior appearances.

The rebounding half-back flanker copped a knock to the his knee in Gold Coast’s 43-point win over North Melbourne, and was a subsequent withdrawal from last weekend’s clash against St Kilda following the round eight bye.

GC SUNS High Performance Manager, Stephen Schwerdt, is confident Kolodjashnij will be passed fit at Thursday’s main training session.

“With Kade we were hoping he was going to play last week but decided, given his youth we would err on the conservative side,” he said.

“He will train this Thursday, but we are optimistic he will get through.”

RELATED: Gold Coast SUNS Injury List