IT WAS a night of firsts on Saturday night when Carlton produced its best performance of the season against Brisbane.

Coming up against the dual reigning premiers, the Blues produced a four-quarter performance across the board, which was reflected in the coaches’ votes for Round 21.

It saw a young Blue receive the first perfect 10 of his glittering young career, while another 2026 debutant received his first coaches’ vote.

There were no surprises when Jagga Smith earned maximum votes from the coaches, following a night where he also took home the Robert Walls Medal as the best player on the ground.

Testing himself against some of the competition’s best, Smith was exceptional in the middle of the ground, earning 29 disposals, 12 score involvements and two goals. He now has 52 votes in his first season of playing AFL football.

Brodie Kemp and George Hewett earned seven votes apiece, with Kemp’s five-goal haul one of the feel-good stories of the night. Hewett was his consistent self on the way to a game-high 33 disposals while hitting the scoreboard once again, making it 12 goals from 10 games.

Fittingly, Ollie Florent and Will Hayward both received two votes as they continue to make an impression both on and off the field in their first year in Navy Blue. Hayward collected a career-high 23 disposals while Florent continued his strong campaign: it was the sixth time this season he had 25 disposals or more.

Harry McKay was a welcome addition as he produced 20 disposals and three goals on the way to a solitary vote, while in his 10th game of AFL football, Wade Derksen also received a vote: his six intercept marks were the most taken by any player in Round 21.

AFLCA votes for Round 21:

10 - Jagga Smith (CARL) 
7 - Brodie Kemp (CARL) 
7 - George Hewett (CARL) 
2 - Ollie Florent (CARL)
2 - Will Hayward (CARL)
1 - Harry McKay (CARL)
1 - Wade Derksen (CARL)