Matt Smith waits 728 days for Eastlake Demons return after ACL injury

The delayed start of the AFL Canberra season was a long-time coming for the capital's footballers, but none more than Eastlake Demons player Matt Smith.

It had been two years to the day since Smith ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus playing footy at Manuka Oval.

He'd planned to make his long-awaited AFL comeback in April but then the coronavirus struck and changed his world again. In hindsight, it would be another four months until he pulled on his Demons uniform.

Smith ran out of the changerooms for Eastlake's round one clash to cheers and a hand-made sign which said 'Congrats Smitdog! 728 day return!'

"It had been a long time coming for everone but especially for me. It was great being out there on the weekend and fingers crossed we get the rest of the season completed," Smith said.

"It was great being out there with the boys again, I just missed that more than anything - having camaraderie with mates on the field.

"Even though we didn't get the win it was still nice to be out there kicking the footy around. You feel like you're in the group, it's different to coaching or sitting on the sidelines."

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Smith plays in Eastlake's second division team and joined their coaching staff last year while in recovery.

He needed a knee reconstruction after tearing his ACL in the second-half of a match against the Ainslie Tricolours in 2018.

The rehabilitation process went smoothly and gave him confidence to return stronger than ever. As an assistant coach he trained alongside his mates and led them to a grand final, but being on the field with them is what he missed the most.

"It certainly gave me a lot of opportunities to build my knowledge of the game," Smith said.

"There were two or three rounds before finals [when I could have returned] and they had a pretty good list at the time, but as a coach I didn't want to come back and take someone's spot.

"I was comfortable letting my body have another six months and a pre-season to build up again... but given the season got put on hold I had to wait a bit longer."

Eastlake will meet Tuggeranong Valley at Phillip Oval this weekend, with the Demons' first and second grade sides looking to bounce back from opening-round losses.

"We hope to implement some of our structure and enjoy the opportunity to be back out there," Smith said.

"We've got a big squad this year which makes it competitive for spots in first to third grades."

AFL CANBERRA ROUND TWO

Men's first grade: Friday - Tuggeranong Valley v Eastlake at Phillip Oval, 6.30pm. Saturday - Queanbeyan Tigers v Ainslie Tricolours at Margaret Donoghue Oval, 1.35pm. Gungahlin Jets v Belconnen Magpies at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, 1.35pm.

Women's first grade: Saturday - Eastlake Demons v Tuggeranong Valley at Phillip Oval, 1.35pm. Queanbeyan Tigers v Ainslie Tricolours at Margaret Donoghue Oval, 4.30pm. Gungahlin Jets v Belconnen Magpies at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, 4.30pm.