IT’S GOING to be a special night on Thursday.

When Carlton heads to Sydney to take on the Swans in the 2026 season opener, two dreams will be officially realised with the Blues confirming a pair of AFL debutants.

There’ll be a long-awaited debut for Jagga Smith, with the Carlton youngster to play his first AFL game after a knee injury wiped out his first season in the competition.

Smith could hardly have been more impressive during his time at the Blues, finishing off pre-season with a 37-disposal performance against Geelong in the AAMI Community Series.

Selected with pick No.3 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, Smith was the captain of both Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro in his draft year - now, he’ll officially be “Jagga the ‘Bagger” come Thursday night.

He won’t be alone, with a fellow No.3 draft pick to be joining him.

The Dean family legacy will continue in Navy Blue, when Harry Dean runs out in the No.35 jumper for Carlton - in the returning raised monogram, no less.

A chip off the old block, Dean displays the traits of his dad Peter, as a highly competitive, aggressive defender who has impressed all comers during his time at the Blues.

A graduate of the Carlton Academy, Dean was the highest key defender picked in the national draft for over 10 years - that player was Carlton co-vice captain, Jacob Weitering.

The Blues will announce their full team on Wednesday night at 6:20pm.