THE WESTERN Bulldogs have rewarded promising defender Roarke Smith with another season on the club's rookie list.
It's a strong show of faith in the 19-year-old as he's expected to miss most of 2016 season after rupturing his ACL during the VFL finals.
Drafted with pick five in the 2014 NAB AFL rookie draft, the Calder Cannons product impressed for Footscray at state league level and was rewarded with an AFL debut in the round 21 loss to West Coast.
"Roarke has shown rapid development in his first year in the AFL system," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney told the club's website.
"He's a terrific young man and we look forward to him returning from his rehabilitation in 2016 to further build on the foundations he's laid this year."
