Young Blue Jagga Smith suffers ACL injury on the eve of the 2025 season

Carlton’s Jagga Smith has ruptured his ACL on the eve of the 2025 AFL season.

Smith, who was selected with Pick 3 in the 2024 AFL Draft, suffered the injury on Saturday in the Blues’ match simulation against St Kilda.

He was originally taken off the ground for precautionary reasons but scans thereafter have shown a ruptured ACL.

“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,” Carlton's GM of Footy Brad Lloyd said in a club statement.

“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 of 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.”

The 19-year-old midfielder will unfortunately spend his first season on the sidelines.

Carlton’s next practice match is against GWS on Friday before they play Richmond in Round 1 on March 13.