AFL Draft 2024: Jagga Smith on his 50-disposal game, comparisons to Zak Butters and national championships

No. 1 draft pick contender Jagga Smith had a huge 50 disposals in the Talent League last weekend, etching his name into the record books. But, as he explains, the performance taught him a bigger lesson.

Top AFL draft prospect Jagga Smith made more waves last weekend as he racked up 50 disposals for the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League.

The Chargers lost the match to the Western Jets, but Smith won a place in the record books after becoming just the third player in the competition’s history to rack up 50 disposals in a game.

The last player to achieve that feat was current Brisbane Lions midfielder Will Ashcroft, who won 51 disposals in a match for the Sandringham Dragons in 2022.

Along with Smith’s 50 disposals (24 contested), he racked up 17 clearances, six marks, 10 score involvements, four score assists and kicked one goal for a total of 239 SuperCoach ranking points.

We caught up with Smith to discuss the big game, along with his season to date and his expectations for the upcoming under-18 national championships with Vic Metro.

Chris Cavanagh: Jagga, if you had to pick one word to sum up your draft year to date, what would it be?

Jagga Smith: Consistent.

CC: You flagged during pre-season that you were set to play a new role spending more time forward this year. What has happened there?

JS: To start the year, that was the plan. I played half-forward the first couple of rounds for Oakleigh, but injuries to some of our other on-ballers in Tom Gross and Finn O’Sullivan meant I moved back into the midfield sooner than what was first expected. With the AFL Academy, I had the opportunity to spend some time playing as a high half-forward, though, because there were a lot of midfielders in that squad. So that was a good opportunity and I’ve learnt a lot about that side of the game.

Jagga Smith impressed during two matches for the AFL Academy side in April. Picture: Getty Images

CC: You mentioned those two AFL Academy games that you played against VFL opponents Coburg and Footscray during April. What did you take away from those matches?

JS: Firstly, I loved the opportunity I was given to represent the country. That’s something that you don’t get to do too often in our sport. Playing against the bigger and stronger bodies was something I was looking forward to, as I’ve never done it previously. Everything’s a bit quicker and the hits are obviously a bit harder, but I think my decision-making held me in pretty good stead. I was able to make quick decisions with the ball and I thought I was able to impact in those games as best I could.

CC: You generated a lot of discussion after racking up 50 disposals for Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League last weekend. Talk us through that game.

JS: It was interesting. I was able to find a bit of the ball, but I also don’t just want to be known for being an accumulator. That’s a big thing that I’ve focused on coming through the pathways. I’ve always had an ability to find the ball and it’s always nice to have a bit of the footy in your hands. However, I’m trying to focus on what I do with the ball – not how many times I get it. My ball in the first half was a little wider and probably not as damaging, but Ash Close (Oakleigh Chargers coach) came up to me at halftime and said ‘Try and get the ball in more dangerous spots’. I think I was able to do that in the second half.

CC: Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters is one player who you have been compared to in the early part of the season. What do you say to that?

JS: He’s a great player, Zak, and I do watch him quite closely. He’s got a similar build, around that six-foot mark and a little on the smaller side as a midfielder. I just love the way he goes about it. He attacks the footy hard, but the main thing I take out of his game is his dynamic movement and his ability to drive his legs forward. So that comparison’s been pretty nice.

Jagga Smith says he has been working on his leadership this year. Picture: Getty Images

CC: Have you had a key focus area that you have been trying to work on with your game in the early part of the season?

JS: Mainly my leadership. With Oakleigh, there have been lots of boys coming in and out of the team each week, so it’s just about trying to be a good leader for everyone in our program and to remain positive. At times that’s been difficult with the scoreboard, but I’ve been focusing on being positive with my body language and trying to instruct and help the more inexperienced players.

CC: The under-18 national championships are here, with Vic Metro playing its first game against the Allies on June 9. What has the preparation been like with Vic Metro?

JS: We’ve been training together every Tuesday night, which has been amazing. There’s a real buzz around the group and we’re all ready to give our best for the team. There’s been a lot of talk about how many midfielders are in the squad, but Rob Harding (Vic Metro coach) has been big on us playing secondary roles; he’s been really embedding that into us. I can’t wait to get started.

CC: With that in mind, what sort of role do you expect to play yourself during the championships?

JS: I haven’t spoken to Rob about it too much yet. My primary position is midfield, so I’ll have some time in there, but then I might switch it up with a bit of half-forward and wing. That’s what I’m expecting.

Smith in action for Vic Metro during the under-16 national carnival. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos

CC: The national championships are such a big measuring stick for recruiters and play a key role in determining draft boards come November. Do you feel any added pressure to perform heading in?

JS: No, I wouldn’t say I feel any added pressure. I just think the level of intensity increases and may be some outside expectation, but I’m comfortable with that. I was able to get a bit of a taste of the championships last year, playing two games. So that experience should be helpful for this year and probably makes me feel a little calmer going in.

CC: Just finally, what’s it like being a draft prospect at this time of year? Are you already beginning to meet with some clubs?

JS: Yeah, I’ve already had a few home visits and Zoom interviews, which is all part of the process. It’s been really enjoyable to meet with some AFL recruiters when your dream is to hopefully end up at a club one day. But I’m really just focused on playing my role to the best of my ability for the team across the championships at the moment and then I’ll reassess my goals for Oakleigh for the back end of the season.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2024: Jagga Smith on his 50-disposal game, comparisons to Zak Butters and national championships