CARLTON star Sam Docherty will go under the knife on Monday, opting for a traditional knee reconstruction after rupturing his ACL for the second time in just over a year.
The Blues co-captain is set for his second successive season on the sidelines after again hurting his knee during an innocuous incident at training earlier this week.
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He returned to Ikon Park sporting a large brace on his left knee on Wednesday, revealing that he and the club have agreed on the procedure that he will undertake next Monday.
"I'm pretty flat, but it is what it is," Docherty told the club's website.
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"I'm at a stage where I've accepted what's happened. I'm ready to move on, get my surgery and my rehab started, punching that out and getting back as soon as I can.
"I went to the surgeon yesterday with one of the physios. We sat down and through his recommendation, we'll go with the traditional reconstruction again."
Docherty worked closely with Brendon Bolton and Carlton's coaching staff as he was sidelined throughout the 2018 season and expects to do similar next year.
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"I was laughing with the coaches … it was quite depressing walking back in and getting my coaching shirt from last year," Docherty said.
"It was one of my points when I did my injury last year and it's the same this year, I do have a role to play at this footy club as a leader and as a captain and it doesn't change because I'm off the track.
"I was straight back into it this morning, working with the coaches and taking some of the training. I'm just trying to spread my knowledge across the group."