Bailey Smith ruptures ACL in pre-season in massive blow for Western Bulldogs

What was looming as a massive contract year for Western Bulldog Bailey Smith has gone horribly wrong, with a serious knee injury at training set to sideline the star for the 2024 season.

Western Bulldogs young gun Bailey Smith will search for a new contract without any exposed form in 2024 after suffering a devastating injury during pre-season training.

Smith went down in an innocuous incident mid-way through Bulldogs training on Wednesday morning, with scans a short time later confirming that he had suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

The versatile ball-winner will undergo surgery early next week.

The injury is a huge blow for both the Bulldogs and Smith, who is out of contract at the end of next season and was targeting a big 2024.

While there has been trade speculation linking Smith to rival clubs including Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood, the 23-year-old said in September that he wanted to “go all the way and the red, white and blue is the best place to do it”.

Bailey Smith's post on Instagram just hours after scans confirmed he had ruptured his ACL.

Smith is the AFL’s second ACL victim in as many weeks, with Collingwood key forward Dan McStay suffering the same injury at training late last month.

“We’re all extremely disappointed for Bailey, and empathise with him greatly,” Bulldogs’ football boss Chris Grant said.

“The entire club will rally around him during this difficult time, as he begins his rehab journey.”

Smith responded to the injury through an Instagram post, with a photo of him training coming with the caption “ahh well, she’ll be right”.

After making an off-season business and training trip to New York alongside Collingwood star Nick Daicos, Smith had returned to pre-season in top shape last month.

He won the club’s 2km time trial, setting the scene for what shaped as a big summer.

Smith’s injury is a massive blow for the Dogs. Picture: Michael Klein.

However, the usually durable Smith will now have to wait until at least 2025 to rediscover his best form.

Smith was squeezed out of the Bulldogs midfield this year, instead spending significant time playing across half-forward.

However, he still averaged 23.5 disposals, 3.6 clearances and 349 metres gained across 19 matches.

The loss of Smith is far from ideal for the Bulldogs, who enter next season as one of the AFL’s most under pressure teams.

Luke Beveridge’s side finished ninth on the ladder to miss finals this year.

Since the club’s 2016 premiership, the Bulldogs have won just three finals – all of which came in 2021 when they lost the Grand Final to Melbourne by 74 points.

Originally published as Bailey Smith ruptures ACL in pre-season in massive blow for Western Bulldogs