Carlton’s first-round draft decide Jagga Smith will miss the complete AFL season after scans confirmed he has ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament.
Smith had seemed sharp throughout half-forward in his first senior hit-out in the course of the Blues’ pre-season conflict with St Kilda at Ikon Park on Saturday.
The 19-year-old limped from the sector with a knee harm in the course of the third quarter.
He then accomplished some operating drills in what was taken as a optimistic signal, with assistant coach Tim Clarke assured on the time the harm was “nothing too severe”.
However scans on Sunday revealed the worst potential outcome for Smith, who was chosen with the No.3 decide ultimately 12 months’s nationwide draft.
“It definitely was not the information we had been anticipating and we actually really feel for Jagga,” Carlton soccer supervisor Brad Lloyd mentioned.
“He has not put a foot fallacious from the second he walked into the soccer membership again in November.
Jagga Smith of the Blues limps from the sector in the course of the 2025 AFL match simulation between the Carlton Blues and St Kilda Saints. (Photograph by Michael Willson/AFL Photographs by way of Getty Pictures)
“Jagga possesses unbelievable professionalism for somebody so younger and an absolute dedication to push himself to get higher each single day – two qualities which can have him in a robust mindset to progress by means of each stage of his rehab.
“Whereas it’s actually unlucky we gained’t see Jagga out of the sector this season, he’ll proceed to take in as a lot information as he can from his teammates and coaches throughout his first 12 months within the AFL system, earlier than setting himself to assault his second season head on.”
Smith’s setback is a blow for Carlton, who misplaced essential defender Nic Newman to a severe knee harm final month.
Newman ruptured a patella tendon and is anticipated to overlook many of the season.
In the meantime, Carlton are hopeful star midfielder Sam Walsh (hamstring) could possibly be match to play within the ultimate pre-season hit-out in opposition to GWS on Friday.
The Blues begin the home-and-away marketing campaign in opposition to Richmond on March 13.
© AAP
