By Marc McGowan
The song Moves like Jagger takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to this year’s AFL draft.
Maroon 5’s ode to legendary Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and his unique dance moves is not what recruiters are thinking of when they hear those three words. Instead, they are fixated on an 18-year-old Oakleigh Chargers midfielder.
Jagga Smith is the best ball-winner in this year’s AFL draft class.Credit: AFL Photos
This Jagga – Jagga Smith – has his own special moves.
The first thing people notice about Smith is his quick feet as he stalks the loose Sherrin, burrows into a pack, or dances out of trouble after gathering the ball.
Up next might be a spin move to escape congestion. If not, Smith might angle his body a certain way to evade an opponent or expertly duck as a would-be tackler approaches.
Sometimes, Smith is so quick in dishing a handball out that none of this is even required, but he has caught everyone’s attention, including that of the AFL’s talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan.
“He’s a rubber man: He’s so flexible, both winning the ball with his agility, then with his ability to step out of a contested situation, bend his body, and find a teammate with a handpass,” Sheehan told this masthead in June.
“His performance chart has been super consistent – he rarely plays a poor game – he’s courageous, and has clean hands.”
Smith saw Sheehan’s “rubber man” description, and found it amusing but appreciated the compliment.
As for his first name, Smith has heard it all and is ready for every headline that newspaper sub-editors will write about him. His younger sister is Summer, which he said was “not that unusual” – but he loves having something different.
Smith has become accustomed to standing out on the field as well. That happens when you win 50 disposals in one match, follow up with 40 more, and average almost 34 across a season.
In his VFL debut for Richmond at a windswept Williamstown in July, he had 31 touches, 18 contested possessions and eight clearances.
“It’s always been my strength – finding the ball,” Smith said.
“That day [when he had 50], I just had a bit more than normal. I came in at half-time and I didn’t think I was impacting the game that much, even though I had a bit of ball.
“I thought ‘If I can lift a little bit here, I could be in for a big day’, then I got more dangerous in the second half and won a bit more of the ball as well.”
Smith, whose Tasmania-born father Michael was drafted by Collingwood in 1988 but didn’t play a game, is a surefire top-10 pick on November 20. Barring a draft night trade, he will be a Tiger, Kangaroo, Blue, Crow, Demon or Saint.
In a draft with paper-thin margins between the best prospects, it is not out of the question that he could be the No.1 selection or make it to St Kilda’s back-to-back selections at Nos.7 and 8, which could slide from bids on Levi Ashcroft, Leo Lombard and Isaac Kako.
Recruiters questioned Smith’s slender frame earlier in the year, but that stopped once he proved more than up to the task against VFL competition.
Smith could be a top-five draft pick.Credit: AFL Photos
The next knock was that he was not as damaging as other midfielders in top-five contention, which Smith responded to with at least one goal in six of his last seven Talent League games.
“I think my year’s been consistent. That’s what I set out to do at the start of the year – but I also wanted to have some really big games when it mattered,” he said.
“So, I’d say my year was really consistent, which I’m proud of, but I was able to play well in some big games as well, which I’m equally proud of.”
Those are not empty words.
Smith’s lowest disposal tally in any of his matches for Oakleigh, Victoria Metro or Richmond’s VFL side this year was 23. That was during the under-18s championships, and he still amassed 11 contested possessions and five clearances.
He also finished equal-third in the Morrish Medal – the Talent League’s Brownlow Medal equivalent – but was disappointed not to be able to will the Chargers across the line in their four-point preliminary final defeat to GWV Rebels.
Smith racked up 33 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five clearances and a goal that day, too.
He wants to be the dux of the 2024 draft class and is willing to take on all the pressure and expectation that comes with that mantle.
“I haven’t had much indication at all from Richmond [on what they are going to do at No.1],” Smith said.
“There are a lot of players in that top bracket who they would be looking at. I’d love to be drafted by the Tigers, like I’d love to be drafted by any club.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.