Jagga Smith has claimed the 2026 AFL Rising Star, becoming just the second Blue to win the award.
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On Tuesday night Smith, the pick three of the 2024 Draft, joined Sam Walsh (2019) as Carlton’s only winner.
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Remarkably, Smith drew 54 votes to win the award – the same number as Walsh, and the equal-most since North’s Harry Sheezel in 2023.
Only Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (60 votes) in 2022 has polled higher in a Rising Star count, with Smith following in Daicos’ footsteps as the second Oakleigh product to win the award.
The Rising Star is a significant achievement for the midfielder whose 2025 season was cruelly rocked by an ACL tear before it could even begin.
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But despite a year out of the game, Smith came back ready to go in 2026, playing every game this year after debuting in Opening Round.
Smith claimed the 2026 Rising Star ahead of teammate Harry Dean and West Coast’s No.1 pick Willem Duursma.
To be eligible for the AFL Rising Star Award, each year’s nominated players must be under the age of 21 at January 1 and have played no more than 10 AFL games to the start of that season.
They must not have been suspended by the AFL or State League tribunals during the season.
FINAL RISING STAR VOTES
Jagga Smith: 54 (10 1sts)
Harry Dean: 39 (1 1st)
Willem Duursma: 29
Cooper Trembath: 28
Jobe Shanahan: 9
Leo Lombard: 2
Mitch Edwards, Dyson Sharp, Sully Robey, Ty Gallop: 1