Roarke Smith Biography

Western Bulldogs select Roarke Smith with pick No.26 in the 2020 Rookie Draft.

The Western Bulldogs delist Roarke Smith but have committed to re-drafting him in the upcoming rookie draft.

"Roarke showed some really promising signs during 2020, especially late in the year where he played the last four games including our elimination final," Bulldogs list boss Sam Power said.

"At his best, we believe he can be an important player for us and we have committed to re-drafting him next month."

Roarke Smith signs a new deal with the Western Bulldogs to remain at the club in 2019.

"I'm very excited to have another year at the Doggies," Smith said.

"In the past I haven't played a lot of footy, so it's been good to put a few games together, and hopefully next year I can play a few more."

Western Bulldogs youngsters Roarke Smith and Kieran Collins have been hospitalised after a car accident on the way to training.

"They were just turning and another car coming the other way collected them," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

"They've been in (hospital) for observation and tests, but the early prognosis is that they're OK. Roarke has got a cut on his head, but they've been shaken up."

After a year of uncertainty, Roarke Smith can see his promising career taking a turn for the better in 2018.

The 21-year-old, who has played just two career games, has endured two knee reconstructions since late 2015, with the latest mishap occurring in the 2017 JLT Community Series.

"I just tried to show the club my dedication with my rehabilitation, but (the coaches) obviously see something in me, and I don’t want to let them down," Smmith said.

"I'll probably start the season with a few games in the VFL, but by mid-year I can see myself on a half-back flank (in the senior side)."

Roarke Smith appears set for a welcome change of fortune, with the out-of-contract rookie to play on at the Whitten Oval next season.

Smith has been sidelined since March after undergoing his second knee reconstruction in 18 months, but it is understood that the athletic defender will be offered a new deal for 2018 before the Bulldogs finalise their list.

"We will support him and get him going again. It's a bitter pill to swallow tonight," Beveridge said.

"We think Roarke has a really bright future. It's just a shame he has had so much bad luck so early in his career."

Roarke Smith is staying positive after undergoing his second knee reconstruction in 18 months.

The 20-year-old defender went under the knife on Monday night to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

In a photo posted on Instagram on Wednesday, Smith gave the thumbs up while sitting in a wheelchair.

"I spoke to him again last night and just checked in on him. I'll probably go back out and see him out in Sunbury when we get back from Gold Coast and take him some nice food," Bulldogs teammate Clay Smith said.

"There's not a whole lot you can say, but you've just got to put some love and support around him and keep him in as healthier frame of mind as you can."

Roarke Smith is remaining upbeat despite suffering the second serious knee injury of his career against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.

Smith will undergo a knee reconstruction after scans confirmed the devastating news that the 20-year-old had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

"It's a long recovery but hopefully it's not as long as the last one and I'll try to get back for finals or whatever," Smith said.

Smith said he knew he was in trouble as soon as he suffered the knee injury in the third term.

"I sort of knew. It was the same as the last knee. There was a pop and it feels a bit empty, but we'll get the scans and see what happens."

Roarke Smith is feared to have torn his anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in his fledgling career during the Bulldogs eight-point loss to Brisbane in the JLT Community Series at Etihad Stadium.

"We will support him and get him going again. It's a bitter pill to swallow tonight," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

"We think Roarke has a really bright future. It's just a shame he has had so much bad luck so early in his career."

The Western Bulldogs have rewarded promising defender Roarke Smith with another season on the club's rookie list.

It's a strong show of faith in the 19-year-old as he's expected to miss most of 2016 season after rupturing his ACL during the VFL finals.

"Roarke has shown rapid development in his first year in the AFL system," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"He's a terrific young man and we look forward to him returning from his rehabilitation in 2016 to further build on the foundations he's laid this year."

Roarke Smith suffers an ACL tear in the VFL during Footscray's win over Werribee.

“We’ll put everything we can around him to support him and make sure we get him right as quickly as we can,” Bulldogs football manager Graham Lowe said.

“Roarke’s a good young fellow and he’s certainly showed his wares through the opportunity to play last week so we’ll make sure we get everything right, he’s certainly coping with it really well."

Roarke Smith makes his AFL debut for the Western Bulldogs with 9 disposals (3 kicks and 6 handballs), 3 marks and a tackle in a 77-point loss to West Coast.

St Kilda selects Roarke Smith with pick No.5 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"Roarke is a medium defender who can also run through the midfield," Saints recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple said.

"He's very athletic, and really came on this season after getting a game in round five.

"He is really task orientated, we see him as a defender that can play on a range of different players.

"Has a great vertical leap and a good mix of speed and endurance which could see him push through the midfield."