A mid-season return to football for looks likely for Zac Smith, after the Gold Coast SUNS placed the promising ruckman on the club’s long-term injury list this afternoon. 

Rookie Andrew Boston has been elevated to the primary list in his place, and could find himself in the senior line up after impressing throughout the pre-season. 

Although Smith won’t play for the first eight weeks of the season, assistant coach Matthew Primus said the 206cm ruckman was making strong inroads in his comeback from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. 

"He feels really good now, it's about holding that little bit back until that knee's as good as it can get,” Primus said.

“He’ll take a month or so to get his touch back, but it is good it has happened early in his career, if there is a good time for it to happen.”

Primus, himself, is no stranger to ACL injuries. 

In 2004, the former All-Australian ruckman was denied the chance to play in Port Adelaide’s premiership-winning side after suffering a similar rupture to his left knee which required a full knee reconstruction.

Nevertheless, the Gold Coast ruck and midfield coach is optimistic Smith has the attributes to regain the form he showed in his inaugural season when he earnt a Rising Star nomination and representative honours as a member of Australia’s 2011 International Rules team. 

“He is still only young. He will take a while coming back as does everyone coming back from a knee (injury), but he’s got all the attributes to be a No. 1 ruckman and a ruckman at this club for another decade or so.”

Smith’s season-ending knee injury left a big hole in the middle, but his misfortune afforded others opportunities.

As it stands, Tom Nicholls has stamped his mark as the team’s premier ruckman, averaging 23 hits-outs a match as Guy McKenna’s main man in the centre square in the back half of last season.

But ruck-forward Daniel Gorringe has completed his best pre-season in his four years on the Gold Coast, and could be primed for a career-defining 2014 campaign.

“Dan has had a terrific pre-season, and has been our only ruckman to complete every session,” Primus said.

“Tommy Nicholls had knee surgery at the start of pre-season, and really since only after Christmas has been up and going, but he had a good NAB Challenge under his belt and we now have him cherry ripe for round one.

“So there is a keen battle on for the No. 1 ruck position.”