ST KILDA young gun Tyanna Smith admits the last 18 months have been “pretty tough”. After a breakout debut season in 2021, the teenager’s football world came crashing down when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury at training.

“It’s pretty prominent in my brain to be honest, I remember everything about it,” Smith said. “20th November 2021, we were training down at Seaford, Saturday morning session and it was the last drill of the day, basically the last minute of it. I just went to sidestep someone, felt and heard a pop in the knee and I knew straight away what it was and I think everyone else knew what it was as well, so it was pretty scary off the bat.”

Smith said she recalled “breaking down straight away” to her parents on the phone, but after the immediate disappointment, the teenager wasted no time getting straight into surgery and rehab, admitting the post-injury process was “pretty smooth sailing”.

“It was pretty scary,” Smith said. “I hadn’t really had any serious injury before that, so it was pretty hard to deal with at the start, but you get used to it as you go along and you have people to support you.”

Like a number of other players, Smith’s ACL injury came at the worst possible time – though there is never a good time – with the talented midfielder missing not one, but two seasons, and ultimately having more than two years out of the game.

During that time, Smith admitted it was “hard” to remain motivated, but the ability to remain involved in the club and around her teammates was crucial in her mental health and remaining focused on a return.

“There were hard periods, but I think mainly just the teammate support wanting to get back out there for them,” Smith said. “Obviously still being pretty young, I’d only played nine games, so I’m still excited what I can do with my hard work. You have hard days and easier days, but ultimately everything in it that you do will lead will hopefully lead to you getting back on the field one day.”

Initially she had earmarked her return for the 2023 season, which would have been Season 7 had it started in its usual timeslot of January. Then, came through the announcement that the AFL Women’s would play two seasons in a year. For many, that meant double the games, for others, like Smith, it meant a two-year hiatus from football, rather than 12 months.

“It (decision of two seasons in a calendar year) took me a while to come to terms with, I thought it was a bit of a joke to be honest,” Smith said. “I kept telling myself that it wasn’t going to happen and I’d be back that year, but obviously as it did happen, it took a while to come to terms with it.

“It was still good to be in the team environment and during my rehab I was ale to be here with the rest of the team, not being by myself. You’ve just got to find the positives out of the scenario.”

The last time Smith took to the field was during St Kilda’s 56-point win over West Coast at Lathlain Park on March 28, 2021. The long stint off the field had provided the young gun with a new perspective on football.

“It’s opened me up to a different side of the game, where I’m focusing on my mental side,” Smith said. “Being grateful and I did a fair bit of work in that scene. That sort of stuff I wasn’t really doing before the injury, but since I have done it, that’s definitely a side that I’ve tapped into and I think has translated to hopefully better performance after the injury.”

Since Smith last played, St Kilda’s list makeup has changed considerably, with many of her 2023 teammates, not being around when she took the field. In that time, a number have improved, while some recent recruits have lifted the bar around the club.

“Obviously we’ve brought in a couple more experienced heads which I think was really needed, especially in the midfield,” Smith said. “Steph Chiocci and Jaimee Lambert have been really good, but then we’ve brought in some really exciting youth as well, so I think it’s a really good mixture. They’ve all been great around the club, having those supportive girls is really important.”

The St Kilda midfielder said the injury has not changed the way she plays, but is more aware of the importance of what her body is telling her and being “physically 100 per cent fit”. Over the last month, Smith has overcome the mental concerns regarding a return from a long-term injury, and believes it has made her stronger and a more well-rounded player.

Looking ahead to Round 1, Smith said she hoped the transition back into the team would be “pretty smooth” and was particularly looking forward to playing alongside her midfield partner-in-crime Georgia Patrikios.

After 909 days on the sidelines by the time St Kilda’s first game rolls around on September 3 against North Melbourne, Smith said she was not nervous, but rather feeling another emotion.

“I’m just very excited, it’s been too long I think. I think it will be like 900 days since I played a game so I’m really itching to get back out there.”

As for the 2023 season, Smith has pegged ultimate team success as her number one goal to achieve upon her return.

“I really think that driving a young up and coming team is really exciting,” she said. “Team success is really what I’m looking forward to this year.”