WHILE All-Australian defender Sam Docherty isn’t able to pull on the Old Dark Navy Blue jumper anytime soon, his game-day role on the bench and ability to assist the coaches is “keeping him ticking” as he continues his rehab this year. 

After rupturing his ACL during pre-season training in November, the 24-year-old has taken this opportunity to develop other skills, and it’s an experience he’s relishing.

Thankful the AFL gave him the green light to sit on the bench during game-day, Docherty acknowledged it’s a great way to still feel involved on match day. 

“I have a bit of a passion for coaching anyway and I was lucky enough that the AFL allowed me to sit on the bench, which is great – it adds a layer that I still feel involved in the group,” he told RSN on Thursday morning. 

“My head is still in the week-to-week game grind, but I don’t have the physical grind in terms of going out and playing and recovering. 

“However, in terms of tactics, helping the coaches and then implementing that on game-day, I have been finding that really enjoyable and it keeps me ticking.”

Praising the Club and senior coach Brendon Bolton for accommodating both his rehab and desire to be involved in a number of footy meetings, balancing his days and timetable during the week is all about priorities. 

“My No.1 priority is my rehab so I have to make sure I get all that done, but where I can, the physios at the Club have been really accommodating so I can fit my weights and rehab around meetings,” he said. 

“Bolts has been really great, if I want to come to a meeting I just need to fit it in around my rehab.” 

Embarking on the 20^th week of his road to recovery, the John Nicholls Medallist said it was a joyous occasion when he ran out on Ikon Park for the first time since injuring his knee. 

“It was one of those joyful feelings of being able to get back and start progressing to do what I do – which is play footy – and a core of that is running. 

“There’s a bit of vision of it (running) and Sam Rowe who just did his knee, saw me going out to run, and he came out and started yelling at me on the sidelines for the 15 minutes I was out there,” he laughed. 

Sam Docherty is enjoying his coaching role on match-days. (Photo: AFL Media)

With his teammates preparing to run out against Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night, the rivalry is certainly not lost on the boyhood Bluebagger.

“I’ve been a Carlton supporter since I was born so the rivalry is entrenched in me,” he said.

“They’re always great games and what fuels the rivalry is the crowd. So many people rock up and there’s so many passionate supporters from both sides, it just builds that intensity and vibe on game day.

Obviously, there’s been plenty of battles in the past between the two clubs that have been historic, so there’s the history and the fans – we just need to go out there and get the win.”