Bulldogs supportive of Smith's Europe trip in recovery from knee reconstruction

BAILEY Smith will next month leave for Europe as part of his recovery from a knee reconstruction.

Smith, who ruptured his ACL in December last year, will embark on the overseas trip as a means of freshening up mentally.

The change of scene is recommended by Smith’s surgeon Julian Feller and far from unusual in the AFL industry given the mundane and repetitive nature of reconstruction rehab.

The Bulldogs are supportive of the move and have been mindful of ensuring the midfielder is in the best place mentally, with the club also allowing him to train at a local gym earlier this year before he could return to running.

But in the background is Smith’s clouded playing future. The 23-year-old is not only highly unlikely to play this year, but may have played his last game for the Bulldogs.

BULLDOGS CEO’S FRANK ADMISSION ON SMITH CONTRACT TALKS

Smith is out of contract at season's end and could look to seek a fresh start elsewhere.

The Dogs have had a two-year contract in front of Smith since March.