The Gold Coast SUNS and Zac Smith are none the wiser as to when the towering ruckman suffered the injury that ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).  

The Club has reviewed a number of incidents from Saturdays match against the Bulldogs trying to isolate the moment which may have caused the long-term injury, however the GCSUNS and Smith are still unsure which incident caused the injury which saw the 23-year-old to subbed out at half time in the side’s 32-point win against the Western Bulldogs.

General Manager of Football Operations – Marcus Ashcroft, told goldcoastfc.com.au the cause of Smith’s season ending injury was under review, but still remained a mystery.

“We’ve looked at the vision a couple of times and we think there’s three or four incidents where it (injury) may have occurred, but it could have been a combination of a couple of things, we’re not sure,” Ashcroft said.

Smith told the medical team that he couldn’t recall the moment either when meeting with medical staff on Monday.

Video shows Smith clutching at his knee early in the first term as he attempted to jump at the ball, however after briefly leaving the field, being assessed by the Club’s medical team and having the knee strapped, Smith returned to play crucial minutes for the home team before subbing out prior to the long break.

“From Zac’s point of view he, couldn’t identify the incident either,” said Ashcroft.

“He came off the ground once and thought he was okay, he had a run and a kick at qurter time and was confident he was ready to play, so he went back out.”

“Our medical team had a closer look and decided that he should be subbed out of the game just before half-time and unfortunately the scans today have confirmed the rupture”

Ashcroft said the club had every confidence in Smith returning to full fitness and attacking his rehabilitation with the same level of professionalism that has seen him viewed as such a respected leader around the club.

“In the last two weeks he’s been terrific and a real catalyst as to why the team has been playing well and winnings games of football,” Ashcroft said.

“We will support him and look after him in his rehab and get back bigger and better than ever.”