A right ACL injury during the Bulldogs' JLT Community Series match against the Brisbane Lions cruelled Roarke Smith’s season before it had started, denying Bulldogs fans the chance to see more from the promising, high-flying half-back.

Smith’s last senior outing came against Essendon in Round 22, 2016, where the 21-year-old collected 12 disposals at a tidy 91% efficiency. On that occasion, he also highlighted his offensive contribution as a defender, with three score involvements, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

A member of Footscray’s VFL premiership team last year, Smith’s hardness around the contest is a trait that has shone through in his game and impressed onlookers, and was reflected by the seven tackles he laid in the high-pressure arena of the 2016 VFL state league decider.

The 21-year-old underwent a traditional knee reconstruction in March. It was the second time he has undergone this procedure, after rupturing his left ACL playing in the VFL for Footscray in 2015.

What they said:

“I’ve started running, doing all my leg loading and will hopefully run December this year and be back out training with the boys.

“Even in the off-season I’ve got a bit to work on. I’ll stick around the club for a few more weeks and get everything right. When I come back in November, I’ll start to ramp things up.”

- Roarke Smith, September 2017