Western Bulldog Roarke Smith savours first AFL goal five years after being drafted as a rookie

In his fifth season at Western Bulldogs, wingman Roarke Smith finally opened his goal account with a brilliant snap during Saturday’s victory over Port Adelaide.

Western Bulldogs players flock to Roarke Smith after his first AFL goal. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke.

The moment Roarke Smith had waited five years for finally arrived on Saturday night.

Playing his second game of the season and 14th of his career, the Western Bulldogs wingman produced a moment of class to snap his first AFL goal during the second quarter of the club’s 25-point win over Adelaide.

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In torrential rain, Smith gathered possession about 35m from goal before his left-foot snap sailed through and he was mobbed by teammates.

“I had probably one of the easiest set shots of my life last week and I shanked that,” he told Channel 7.

“For that to be my first goal was probably not a bad effort. I’m over the moon.”

The Bulldogs got right around Roarke Smith after his first AFL goal.#AFLpowerDogs pic.twitter.com/WkfJV3uwsM

— AFL (@AFL) June 29, 2019

Smith has been one of the great stories of perseverance at the Bulldogs since being selected as a rookie in 2014, undergoing two knee reconstructions.

He was close to a senior call-up earlier this year before falling ill, forced to bide his time with Footscray before being chosen for last weekend’s loss to Collingwood.

The 22-year-old produced career-best numbers against the Power, finishing with 23 disposals and six tackles in a 10.6 (66) to 5.11 (41) victory at Adelaide Oval.

Western Bulldogs players flock to Roarke Smith after his first AFL goal. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke.

“It’s difficult for the supporters because they haven’t seen him blossom at the level but hopefully tonight is an indication that he can,” coach Luke Beveridge said.

Beveridge said he was thrilled for the teams “lesser likes” such as Smith and Bailey Williams, who were key contributors against Port Adelaide.

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“Roarke should have been in the team a lot earlier in the year,” he said.

“He played some tremendous VFL footy early and I just about brought him in and he got crook.

“He’s had to persevere and finally got his chance. Because he’s been out … he hasn’t had a sustained run at AFL level ever with his two knee recos.

“He started off as a backman, we have given him new responsibilities. He’s a winger and a forward and he plays it really well.

“He stands up in tackles, keeps his feet, he’s very creative, he kicks well both well.”

Teammate Marcus Bontempelli described Smith as “an eccentric sort of character”.

“He’s a great kid. It was great for him to kick a goal, especially in the conditions, that we needed,” he said on Channel 7.