Sam Docherty has thirst for AFL and will use his knowledge in unofficial coaching role for Blues

SAM Docherty might not be on the park for the Blues in 2018, but the injured defender is intent on playing a different role as he eyes a career post-football.

Injured Blue Sam Docherty will work with teammates while doing his rehab. Pic: Michael Klein

SAM Docherty will play an unofficial coaching role for Carlton during his year-long absence with a knee injury, with Brendon Bolton saying his aptitude for coaching bears an uncanny resemblance to Sam Mitchell during his playing days at Hawthorn.

While the Blues haven’t yet formalised a specific role for the 24-year-old, mindful his rehabilitation takes priority, Bolton said there was no way of stopping the young man considered a future Carlton captain from playing his part.

“I can’t stop him ... he is already doing it,” Bolton said.

BRENDON BOLTON: BRING ON YEAR THREE

EMPLOYEE: NEW BLUES CEO ON THE COACH

An All-Australian half back this year and a best-and-fairest winner last year, Docherty underwent a knee reconstruction in mid-November after suffering the injury in a routine training drill. Instead of wallowing in his disappointment, the rebounding defender was still making his mark on the club’s training camp on the Sunshine Coast this week.

Sam Docherty was only just back into pre-season training when he injured a knee. Picture: Getty Images

Docherty at Carlton’s training camp on the Sunshine Coast. Pic: Michael Klein

He helped Bolton and the coaching staff oversee a number of drills during the week and provided invaluable feedback for his teammates.

“We will let that (coaching) role unfold, there is a lot to do in that space,” Bolton said.

“He has similarities to Sam Mitchell, he studies the game as intently as Sam did at Hawthorn and I would suggest in another 10 years’ time he will probably be like Sam when he retires to take on a coaching role.

“He has 12 months now to grow as a coach and as a leader, but also to have some more varied experiences out of football.

“He came to my office the other day and he has got his rehab map for 12 months, but also interspersed between that ... he wants to travel overseas for a few weeks to clear his head and he might do an extra week coaching youngsters. That is mapped in between his rehabilitation.”

Docherty gives teammate Alex Silvagni some tips at training. Pic: Michael Klein

Having spoken to former Brisbane teammate Brent Staker about dealing with the emotional toll of a knee reconstruction, Docherty is determined to learn as much as he can in his time out of the game.

In a column on the AFL Players Association, he explained: “I have six to eight weeks of key milestones but the club are keen for me to get away and do something every four to five weeks — something to plan and look forward to.

“The aim is to spend time growing as a leader while ensuring my mental health is in good shape.

“I’m also going to America for a couple of weeks in February with my manager for some personal development in coaching and leadership.

“There’s a well-known ACL specialist I’d like to visit and using various networks the club, coaches and players have, I want to experience more of other professional environments and go to a few conferences to enhance my personal development.

“I want to bring some experiences back with me that can help me and the club.”