Breakout Bomber Patty Smity ready for knee rehab after tearing ACL

The Cobden midfielder, who has enjoyed a breakout season in red and black, is already looking forward to rehabilitating a torn ACL.

Smith suffered the season-ending injury in the Bombers' round 11 defeat to Camperdown a fortnight ago.

Scans the following Wednesday confirmed the worst - ACL tears typically take six to nine months to fully heal - but the 21-year-old is staying positive through work and supporting his teammates.

"I went to kick the footy and was tackled as I landed," Smith told The Standard.

"I was sort of spun around and my foot was planted so it twisted and just went 'pop'.

"It was sort of painful for the first 10 seconds and then it stopped. I was able to walk off. I didn't think it was an ACL as it wasn't too bad."

The onballer said he was keen to return to the field as soon as possible.

"Hopefully better than ever. It is what it is. It's happened and you can't do much about it," he said.

"I'll just be staying around the boys as much as I can."

Cobden coach Adam Courtney said it was disappointing to lose Smith after a stellar campaign.

Smith has been named best-on-ground four times in 2021 from just 11 matches.

"It's gut-wrenching," Courtney said. Smith said he would meet a surgeon next week in a bid to start his recovery process.

He said the injury hadn't impacted his ability to work as a third-year apprentice electrician at CW Electrical in Cobden. Smith revealed he'd enjoyed the return to sport after the COVID-19 pandemic ruled out the 2020 campaign. "I've been able to play most games. I haven't played this many games in a season before due to other injuries stuff so it's been really good," he said.

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