There's nothing more deflating for an AFL fan base than news of an ACL injury.

The injury, particularly for young players, has robbed the footballing world of some of its most exciting talents.

With Carlton's prized draftee, Jagga Smith, rupturing his ACL, we decided to compile a list of some of the AFL's best young prospects who successfully recovered from season-ending injuries to forge great careers.

The following players should (hopefully) give Carlton fans a small glimmer of hope.

5. Matthew Richardson

'Richo' was always highly touted leading into the 1992 draft, where he was taken by the Tigers with the fourth pick. Similar to Max Gawn, while his physicality and height were among the forward's biggest strengths, they also led to some early injury troubles.

In just his third season with the yellow and black, Richardson tore his ACL after dramatically hyperextending his knee in a marking contest against Sydney. He missed the rest of the 1995 season in a blow to the Tigers' premiership hopes, as they were subsequently eliminated in the preliminary final.

Richardson returned from his ACL injury to clock the best statistical season of his career, booting 91 goals and earning his first of three All-Australian selections.

The Tigers legend would play 282 games for the club and was inducted into both the AFL Hall of Fame and the Richmond Team of the Century. His 464 goals at the MCG is a record that still stands to this day.