IT JUST had to be.
Carlton has two players named in the final AFL Players’ 22under22 side for 2026, with elite young prospects Harry Dean and Jagga Smith selected.
Voted on by the AFL community, the two Blues have been simply outstanding in their respective debut campaigns, ultimately earning their selections among the competition’s best young talent.
Dean was named at full-back - 10 years after Jacob Weitering achieved the same feat for the first time - while Smith was named on the wing.
With 65 per cent of fan votes, Smith was among the top 10 names voted for in the competition, despite it being just his first season of playing AFL football.
Both players made their AFL debuts in Opening Round, with Smith playing every game so far this season and Dean with 19 games to his name.
The Telstra AFL Rising Star favourite, Smith has been an electric addition for the Blues, earning his Rising Star nomination in Round 1 and averaging just shy of 25 disposals per game.
His best performance came against the very best, winning the Robert Walls Medal against the dual reigning premiers in Brisbane in Round 21, registering 29 disposals and kicking two goals.
A fan favourite, Dean has been just as impressive as his midfield counterpart, growing by the week in a key defensive post which has earned plaudits from everyone in the football community.
Going head-to-head with the likes of Nate Caddy, Aaron Cadman and Logan Morris, Dean - the son of Carlton dual premiership player, Peter - has already emerged as a key defensive pillar in the future of the Blues.
Selected with pick No.3 in 2024 (Smith) and 2025 (Dean), the duo join their teammates in captain Patrick Cripps and co-vice captains Jacob Weitering and Sam Walsh with their selection in the 22under22 side.
