Bulldogs duo in car crash on the way to training
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has confirmed that youngsters Roarke Smith and Kieran Collins were involved in a car accident on Friday morning on the way to training.
Fortunately, said Beveridge, the pair were fine but had to be sent to Royal Melbourne Hospital to treat minor injuries.
Smith has a cut on his head and won’t be able to face Port Adelaide in Ballarat on Sunday.
Smith was named in the starting 18 on Thursday night and had been showing some impressive signs since returning to the side in round 10 after fully recovering from his second knee reconstruction.
“Just turning, the car turning the other way collected them. The early news is they are OK,” Beveridge said.
“Roarke has been playing some promising footy and we think he has a bright future so it’s a shame this has happened. I don’t think he will be staying in hospital for long.”
In a press release, the club stated: “Smith and Collins are expected to remain in hospital under observation for a short period of time.”
Smith has played eight of his 10 career games this year and was visibly emotional following the Dogs’ after-the-siren win against Geelong in round 15 given all the injury setbacks he has had to endure.
Since being taken at pick No.26 in the 2015 draft, Collins has only managed one senior game back in 2016.