UNLUCKY Western Bulldogs rookie 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
It's the second time in less than two years Smith has torn his ACL, the latest incident occurring in last weekend's JLT Community Series loss to the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.
Speaking to reporters before Thursday's pre-season game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, Bulldogs teammate Clay Smith said he would provide all the assistance he could.
"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," 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.
"You know you can get back, it's just getting through that time."
The Bulldogs selected Roarke Smith with the fifth overall pick of the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
The medium-sized defender has played two games for the Bulldogs.
