Former Carlton defender Alex Silvagni is confident Sam Docherty has the resilience and the professionalism to make a return from a second knee reconstruction.
Docherty, 25, ruptured his ACL at training on Monday, meaning he will miss the entire 2019 season, after only just recently recovering from a serious knee injury he sustained in November 2017.
Silvagni has backed Docherty to overcome the emotional toll of the setback and complete his rehabilitation to the best of his ability.
“He has a fantastic football brain but his drive to improve the group and improve himself – he is a really resilient guy and that will hold him in good stead,” Silvagni told SEN Mornings.
“They’ve got a fantastic medical team at Carlton so he’ll be guided along with a great program and no doubt he’ll be back.
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“The emotional realisation of what’s ahead is probably the biggest thing for him to get over. He’s an absolute professional so he’ll be back stronger than ever.”
Docherty was only recently announced as co-captain of the Blues sharing the role with star midfielder Patrick Cripps.