AFL pre-season injury news: Blues draftee Jagga Smith tears ACL, out for 2025 season

Jagga Smith’s season is over before it even began, but Patrick Cripps has revealed what he said to the No.3 draft pick to give him light at the end of the tunnel.

Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps says teammates are “flat” in the wake of a season-ending knee injury to Jagga Smith as he spoke on the phone to the devastated teenager on Sunday.

Cripps consoled the Blues’ prized No. 3 pick after learning his round 1 debut dream had been crushed by an ACL injury suffered in an innocuous collision against St Kilda on Saturday.

Former Collingwood-listed key forward Liam McMahon is the frontrunner to be added to the Blues’ list in Smith’s place as Cripps conceded he was unsure whether spearhead Charlie Curnow would be fit for round 1.

Cripps said Smith and his teammates were struggling with the disappointment of having his dream crushed so close to a debut, but backed him to still become a “special player” for the club.

“It’s not the call you want on a Sunday … firstly, if you take the club out of it, you just feel for him,” Cripps said.

“When you’re an 18-year-old kid who’s just worked so hard, and you’re so close to debuting … I feel for him.

Patrick Cripps has wrapped his arms around Jagga Smith. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“I had a good chat with him, but it’s probably one of those moments where you’ve just got to absorb how you’re feeling and not try to suppress it, just take it all in.”

Cripps pointed to the success of Norm Smith medallists Christian Petracca and Will Ashcroft following early-career ACL injuries, as well as former Blues captain Sam Docherty, as cause for optimism over Smith’s future.

“I think it’s amazing, the sports science and medicine world these days – injuries that were once maybe career-threatening … I feel like players come back better athletes now,” he said.

“Doc (Sam Docherty) is probably the perfect example. He’s had three knees right now, and if you do the work and you lock in and be a professional, which I know Jagga will be – he’ll come out a better athlete from it.

“It’s just a bit of a small speed bump on the journey of his career … it’s just tough for him when you’re 18 and you’re so close to debuting. That’s the hard thing for him.”

Jagga Smith walks off after tearing his ACL. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos.

Cripps was unsure of Charlie Curnow’s availability for round 1 after he underwent minor knee surgery last week, but effectively ruled him out of playing against GWS in Canberra this weekend.

“He’s in pretty good spirits at the moment … if it’s not round 1, it’ll be round 2 or 3, so we’ll get him back early,” Cripps said.

Cripps said Curnow had proved he could perform at a high level off limited preparation, and the Blues would not wait long to get him back on the field.

“Before he had the screw (taken out of his knee last week) he came back, hadn’t done much pre season, and kicked three goals in 10 minutes,” Cripps said.

“He’s one guy who doesn’t need a lot of training to perform. He’s a bit of a freak, so it’ll be good to have him back.”

JAGGA RULED OUT FOR THE SEASON IN BLUES BLOW

— Jay Clark

Carlton number three draft pick Jagga Smith has torn his ACL in a savage blow for the Blues.

Scans have confirmed the gun first-year midfielder had suffered the season-ending injury in the scratch match loss to St Kilda on Saturday.

Smith was on track to play in round one against Richmond at the MCG after a super preseason but will now have surgery and aim to bounce back in 2026.

His evasive movement and sharp footwork in traffic is one of the 19-year-old’s biggest weapons.

It is a devastating setback for the Blues who swapped picks 12 and 14 for pick three from West Coast to land Smith in last year’s draft.

Smith will miss the 2025 season. Picture: David Crosling

The Blues have already lost gun defender Nic Newman for the bulk of the season and will be without Charlie Curnow for the first game of the Blues’ season against Richmond after knee surgery.

Superstar midfielder Sam Walsh is on track to play round one after a frustrating preseason hamstring setback.

Smith, from Richmond Junior Football Club and Scotch College, suffered the left knee injury in a third-term tackle and hobbled from the ground.

The Blues on Saturday were hopeful he would be OK with assistant coach Tim Clarke after the match saying “it doesn’t look serious”, but further assessment confirmed the shattering injury on Sunday morning.

The Blues were determined to improve their injury rates this season, overhauling the fitness department after a long string of injury blows last year.

But the Smith incident is a horrendous case of bad luck which will flatten the mood at Ikon Park this week ahead of Friday’s clash against GWS Giants in Canberra.

Football manager Brad Lloyd said Smith had been ultra-impressive over his first preseason campaign.

“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.

The Blues moved up the 2024 draft to get the young midfielder. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“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.”

Veteran Sam Docherty has bounced back from two ACL injuries and is expected to work closely with Smith in his recovery.

Curnow has also overcome a dreaded run of patella issues which threatened his career early on, only to become one of the game’s most damaging players.

Smith was expected to play a key midfield role for the Blues this season, adding some important agility, sharp skills and pace to a quicker and more powerful Carlton engine room.

He averaged 34 touches for Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League last season and was considered a chance for the number one selection at times in 2024.

The Blues are an equal third-favourite ($9) to win the flag this year with Ladbrokes behind Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn after bombing out in an elimination final thrashing from the Lions last year.

Dual Coleman Medalist Curnow had surgery on a knee concern last week and is on track to play in round two against Hawthorn on a Thursday night at the MCG.

PRIZED SAINT ON TRACK FOR ROUND ONE

St Kilda spearhead Max King is back on track to play round one after passing a crucial fitness test on Saturday.

King reported right knee soreness last week after a match simulation incident which required an extra round of scans and specialist advice.

But the key forward ran pain-free on Saturday after an encouraging session on Thursday, paving way for him to ramp up his training this week.

Max King is edging closer to a Round 1 return. Picture: Mark Stewart

While King may not take on Port Adelaide on Saturday at RSEA Park from 3pm in the AAMI Community Series, the Saints remain confident he will play against the Power in round one.

The big man is a crucial component of the side after a massive summer overcoming a serious posterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee last year.

The club is backing him to play a key role in the club’s rise up the ladder after signing him to a whopping six-year extension tying him to the club until 2032.

The Saints enjoyed an encouraging practice match win over Carlton on Saturday to kick-off the year.

Originally published as AFL pre-season injury news: Blues draftee Jagga Smith tears ACL, out for 2025 season