RUCKMAN Zac Smith’s determined fight to get back on the training paddock from a ruptured ACL injury continues to impress those around the Club according to Fitness Coach Paul Haines.

“Zac is going really well and is ticking off all the boxes at the moment with his rehab,” Haines said.

“He is doing a lot of work, getting to walk normally again, and a lot of strengthening work around his knee to make sure he is pretty durable. But he is going brilliantly.”

Since suffering the dreaded long-term injury against the Western Bulldogs in Round 8, Smith has remained significantly quiet as he goes about working through his extensive rehabilitation program. 

While a timeframe for his return is still yet to be determined, Haines said Smith was doing all the right things.

“We aren’t putting a timeframe on it, we just want to make sure he is ticking off all the boxes in his rehab and as his pre-season develops then he’ll start running and doing some non-competitive drills as well.

“Then when he is ready, we’ll start doing some competitive work and reintroducing him back to training and playing again.”

Similar to Clay Cameron’s recuperation from hip surgery, Haines said Smith’s ability to continue his program in the off-season would determine whether the 2011 International Rules player could ramp up his training load. 

“For Zac and all the other rehab guys, it (the off-season) is the perfect chance for them to catch up and get as much rehab done as he can, so that when they do start training in the pre-season they’ve done a little bit of work to accelerate their program.”