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Carlton are reeling after scans showed that the Blues’ first pick in the national draft, Jagga Smith, has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
The club confirmed the 18-year-old suffered the injury when he copped a knock in a tackle at the end of the third quarter of their match simulation clash with St Kilda on Saturday.
The Blues had hoped he escaped serious injury but have been left shocked at the extent of the damage.
Jagga Smith walked from the ground after the knock that ruptured his ACL.Credit: AFL Photos
Carlton football manager Brad Lloyd said Smith would undergo surgery soon.
“It certainly was not the news we were expecting and we really feel for Jagga, he has not put a foot wrong from the second he walked into the football club back in November,” Lloyd said.
“Jagga possesses incredible professionalism for someone so young and an absolute dedication to push himself to get better every single day – two qualities which will have him in a strong mindset to progress through every stage of his rehab.
“While it is really unfortunate we won’t see Jagga out on the field this season, he will continue to soak up as much knowledge as he can from his teammates and coaches during his first year in the AFL system, before setting himself to attack his second season head-on.”
Smith had been a brilliant performer in the pre-season and was certain to make his debut in round one against Richmond.
He had delivered on the expectations the Blues had for him when they traded out picks 12, 14 and Matt Owies to get pick three, 63 and 68 in a three-way exchange that sent Liam Baker to West Coast and left Richmond with pick 14. The Blues earmarked the pick for Smith and were delighted with what they had seen. Smith was set to join Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps and star youngster Sam Walsh in the middle.
Carlton are reeling after scans showed that the Blues’ first pick in the national draft, Jagga Smith, has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
The club confirmed the 18-year-old suffered the injury when he copped a knock in a tackle at the end of the third quarter of their match simulation clash with St Kilda on Saturday.
The Blues had hoped he escaped serious injury but have been left shocked at the extent of the damage.
Jagga Smith walked from the ground after the knock that ruptured his ACL.Credit: AFL Photos
Carlton football manager Brad Lloyd said Smith would undergo surgery soon.
“It certainly was not the news we were expecting and we really feel for Jagga, he has not put a foot wrong from the second he walked into the football club back in November,” Lloyd said.
“Jagga possesses incredible professionalism for someone so young and an absolute dedication to push himself to get better every single day – two qualities which will have him in a strong mindset to progress through every stage of his rehab.
“While it is really unfortunate we won’t see Jagga out on the field this season, he will continue to soak up as much knowledge as he can from his teammates and coaches during his first year in the AFL system, before setting himself to attack his second season head-on.”
Smith had been a brilliant performer in the pre-season and was certain to make his debut in round one against Richmond.
He had delivered on the expectations the Blues had for him when they traded out picks 12, 14 and Matt Owies to get pick three, 63 and 68 in a three-way exchange that sent Liam Baker to West Coast and left Richmond with pick 14. The Blues earmarked the pick for Smith and were delighted with what they had seen. Smith was set to join Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps and star youngster Sam Walsh in the middle.
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