Exciting young GIANTS ruck Logan Smith admits there were some dark days earlier this year after another frustrating injury setback but says there is nowhere he’d rather be than in orange and charcoal as he looks to finally build some consistency with his footy and chase his dream of an AFL debut.  

A GIANTS Academy product picked up in the 2024 AFL Draft, Smith has endured a challenging first 18 months at the club, battling injuries and illness that have prevented him from getting a consistent run at his football. 

But after overcoming a frustrating battle with knee tendinopathy since January, the 19-year-old was finally able to return to the field last weekend, making his first appearance of the season through managed minutes in the VFL.  

Standing at 204cm, the 19-year-old Canberra product is viewed as a promising long-term ruck prospect who is now focused on letting his football do the talking after a difficult period on the sidelines. 

“It wasn’t planned, obviously,” Smith said of his interrupted start to the year. 

“Last year didn’t go the way I wanted it to [with injury], so I went into this year thinking, ‘I’ve got a fresh start, get through pre-season, play a few practice matches and get into the season.’ 

“But just towards the end of January, my knee started playing up with tendinitis and it just progressively got worse. Some trainings I wouldn’t even be able to start running. I just couldn’t warm up or anything. It was that painful. 

“I had a few weeks where I was just doing nothing at all, just off legs training.” 

After undergoing PRP injections, Smith began to turn a corner, with the young ruckman able to string together a number of solid training weeks and regain confidence in his body. 

“Instantly after that I hit a turning point, and I had a few good solid weeks getting through trainings. 

“From then on I saw the bright side to it,” he said. 

“It was just one of those things where it’s like, I didn’t know when it was going to go away and when it was going to get better.  

“It’s not like with a hamstring injury where you just give it time and eventually it heals itself. I think that [not having a timeline] was the worst part about it, but eventually we got there and hopefully we can just build from here.”  

Smith said the toughest part of the setback was the uncertainty, admitting there were moments where he questioned whether the same issues would continue to impact his football. 

“There were a few practice matches we had in pre-season where I was thinking it’s alright, I’ll hopefully be back in a few weeks.  

“And I kept making promises to myself that I’d be fine, because I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. But it turns out it was, and there was a patch where I couldn’t even train. 

“I was just thinking to myself, ‘am I going to be like this all year? Is this going to happen every year?’ 

“But those were the worst times, and I’ve really been enjoying myself the last few weeks.” 

Smith returned to the VFL last weekend after almost a year away from competitive football, admitting he felt rusty early before finding his feet as the game progressed. 

“I was really rusty, as you would be” he said. 

“I think it’s been nearly 10 or 11 months since I last played. 

“It’s hard to not go into games like that and think you need to make an instant impact. I kind of felt a bit lost out there but started finding my feet towards the end of the game. 

“But I still took so many positives out of it - travelling with the team, being around the boys, being in those meetings, in the change rooms and out on the field. 

“I’d rather be out there and playing a bad game than sitting at home watching from the TV.” 

Now back into the rhythm of training with his teammates, Smith said the return to the main group has been one of the most enjoyable parts of his comeback. 

“When you’re in rehab, you get used to training in small groups and all by yourself,” he said. 

“It’s just so refreshing just to get back into the main training.” 

Despite the setbacks, Smith says he is loving his time at the GIANTS, embracing life as an AFL player and the responsibility that comes with moving away from home. 

“It’s a great club, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he said. 

“Moving out of home, moving away from family and everything when you’re 18, it just makes you grow up. You mature; you take on all these new responsibilities. 

“I’ve found it great, making new connections, living with mates. It’s the life. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” 

With a clean run ahead, Smith’s focus is simple - play as much football as possible, while helping the club’s VFL program go deep into September.  

“Hopefully just play the rest of the games,” he said. 

“I think just trying to put some good performances together, that’s my main focus. Also trying to get into finals with the VFL. With where we are at, we seem to be on the right track.  

“Also obviously just staying healthy, that’s all I can ask for. And if I’m doing that right, then just continuing to build my game.” 

And while his AFL debut remains the long-term goal, Smith knows the best way to put himself in the frame is through consistency. 

“Especially lately, I think with the injuries we’ve had, it’s kind of opened up my eyes that anything can happen,” he said. 

“I’ve just got to be ready whenever that day may come. 

“Hopefully it’s soon, I don’t know when it’s going to be, but first I’ve just got to prove to myself that I can play at that level.  

“Putting in some good performances in and getting around the boys, that’s what I’m keen to do.”