Bailey Smith has ruptured his ACLCredit:Getty Images
He headed to New York,training alongsidestar Magpie Nick Daicos to set himself up for the year ahead,and then won a recent pre-season time trial to give every indication he wanted to shut out any distractions and be the best he could be to help his talented teammates succeed.
The ruptured ACL he suffered at training on Wednesday morning at Whitten Oval won’t change anything on the contract front,his focus on an operation and the first steps towards recovery the only place his energies will be directed.
Smith is said to be philosophical and his Instagram post on Wednesday afternoon that carried the words “ahh well,she’ll be right” conveyed that message succinctly to his 341,000 followers.
The club knows Smith,who has only just turned 23,will need support along the recovery journey as it will be a rollercoaster for a player who strives for perfection.
“We’re all extremely disappointed for Bailey,and empathise with him greatly,” Bulldogs football manager Chris Grant said in a club statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“The entire club will rally around him during this difficult time,as he begins his rehab journey.”