Essendon midfielder Devon Smith says the decision to undergo season-ending knee surgery in May has been vindicated.
While the reigning Crichton Medal winner admitted it would be tough to sit out the Bombers' upcoming finals campaign, Smith said it was a sacrifice he had to make to ensure a smooth smart to pre-season.
"That’s (missing finals) something I’ll have to live with," Smith told The Essential Listen.
"I chose to do it (surgery) at the time I did so I didn’t have to rush. I really wanted to get my knee right so it wasn’t something that’s recurring in the next two to three years.
"But straight away, I’ve felt that it was the right decision and I can feel my knee’s a lot more stable already. My goal is to get right for day one of pre-season, and I’m well and truly on track for that."
Smith had battled a PCL deficiency before injuring his trochlear in the round eight loss to Sydney.
Surgery was aimed at addressing both issues, with the 26-year-old relieved to have recently re-joined his teammates on the track.
"I’m going well. I’m nearly 12-and-a-half weeks into my rehab and I’ve started running, which is a big milestone," he said.
"Once you start running and get outside with the boys again, you start to feel a lot more involved. It’s a mental barrier to jump over, but I’ve been very confident in it (knee)."
Smith alongside Dylan Clarke and Cale Hooker on the track this week. (Photo: AFL Photos)
While rehab can be a lonely place, Smith has been grateful to have company, joined by the likes of Joe Daniher, James Stewart and Sam Draper in the road to recovery.
He's gravitated towards Draper in particular, mentoring the recently re-signed ruckman.
Smith said he saw an exciting future for the 20-year-old.
"'Drapes' is super raw. When I came here, I was blown away that he’d only been the playing the game for a year-and-a-half," he said.
"He reminds me of a Shane Mumford – he eats up hard work, he attacks everything and he’s going to be a beast when he gets back.
"He’s super impressive, he’s got a good head on his shoulders and I’m as glad as anyone that he’s signed on for another four years."
