LUCKLESS Western Bulldog Roarke Smith appears set for a welcome change of fortune, with the out-of-contract rookie to play on at the Whitten Oval next season.

Smith has been sidelined since March after undergoing his second knee reconstruction in 18 months, but AFL.com.au understands the athletic defender will be offered a new deal for 2018 before the Bulldogs finalise their list.

Smith has been restricted to just two senior games in his three seasons on the rookie list, but the Dogs are optimistic he can overcome his horrible run of luck.

The defender's troubles began a week after he made his AFL debut against West Coast in round 21, 2015, when he ruptured his left anterior cruciate ligament in the VFL. 

Smith made a promising return in the second half of 2016, earning a senior game in round 22 against Essendon, before rupturing his right ACL in March during a JLT Community Series loss to the Brisbane Lions.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said after that game the club was committed to helping Smith return to the field.

"We will support him and get him going again. It's a bitter pill to swallow tonight," Beveridge said. 

"We think Roarke has a really bright future. It's just a shame he has had so much bad luck so early in his career." 

Smith was recruited by the Bulldogs from the Calder Cannons with pick No.5 in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

In addition to his two senior games, he has played 25 VFL games for Footscray, 15 in 2015 and 10 in 2016.