Carlton young gun Jagga Smith has been crowned the 2026 Telstra AFL Rising Star winner, capping off an extraordinary debut season in the Navy Blue.
Becoming the Club’s fourth ever Rising Star winner across its AFL and AFLW programs, the illustrious honour marks an incredible first year in AFL football for Smith, who broke the Carlton record for most disposals in a maiden home-and-away season.
Making his debut in Opening Round against Sydney, Smith made an immediate impact on the big stage, collecting 27 disposals.
He backed it up with an outstanding performance in Round 1 at a packed MCG, racking up 32 disposals, 11 score involvements, five tackles and three clearances in his maiden win in Navy Blue, a performance that earned him his AFL Rising Star nomination.
Arriving at Carlton with pick No.3 in the 2024 AFL Draft, the highly-touted midfielder had a delayed start to his AFL debut after an ACL injury in a practice match last year.
As unfortunate as that experience was, it proved to be an opportunity for 20-year-old to showcase his incredible resilience and professionalism.
Playing every game this year, Smith has had just three outings of fewer than 20 disposals, averaging 24.9 disposals, 6.5 score involvements and 4.3 clearances a game in the home-and-away season.
Wearing guernsey No.7, he has accumulated over 50 coaches’ votes this year - the most in history by a player in a debut season. That included a perfect 10 votes in the Blues’ Round 21 win against the Brisbane Lions, where he also claimed the Robert Walls Medal for best player on the field against the dual reigning premiers.
Smith sits top three at Carlton for total disposals (behind only Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh) as well as clearances, inside 50s, contested possessions, ground ball gets and score involvements.
Regarded for his clean skills, speed and football IQ, Smith is also ranked eighth in the competition for total handballs and has become a vital member of Carlton’s midfield mix as the season has progressed.
Smith is part of emerging core group, including six players under 25 games this last round, who are bringing an excitement and passion to the Club, showing each and every week what is means to put on the Carlton guernsey.
Smith was joined by teammates Harry Dean, Talor Byrne and Billy Wilson as Carlton’s four Telstra AFL Rising Star nominees for 2026, the most of any club this year. He officially follows in the footsteps of co-vice captain Sam Walsh, who became Carlton’s first ever AFL Rising Star winner when he won the award in 2019.
Dean was named runner-up of the Telstra AFL Rising Star, on the night where he was also awarded the AFLPA Best First Year Player, making Carlton the second Club to ever get the 1-2 in the Rising Star after Melbourne in 2004.
Imbued in Blue, “Jagga the ‘Bagger” put pen to paper earlier this year, signing a contract extension to remain at IKON Park until at least the end of 2030.
AFL Senior Coach Josh Fraser said Smith's Rising Star win is a just reward for a brilliant first year playing AFL.
"Jagga has had an outstanding year and being named the Rising Star winner is thoroughly deserved," Fraser said.
“To play every game in his first season and have the impact he's had on our midfield not only speaks to his talent, but also his work rate and willingness to learn every single week. He holds high standards not only for himself but those around him, setting a fantastic example for our younger crop of players.
"He is someone who is continually striving for perfection in everything he does, bringing an impressive competitive edge each and every day. He's been one of the real highlights of our season and we can’t wait to see what he does in the Navy Blue for many years to come.”
