Jagga Smith and Harry Dean to make debut for Carlton. Blues to welcome up to 10 new players for opening round clash with Sydney Swans
Carlton will unleash star draftees Jagga Smith and Harry Dean against Sydney on Thursday on a night coach Michael Voss says friendships will be cast aside as the Blues face Charlie Curnow for the first time.
Voss confirmed on Tuesday that midfielder Smith, a standout through the summer and in the two practice matches after missing 2025 because of a knee injury, and Dean, the No.3 selection in last year’s national draft, will line up at the SCG in the season opener.
Jagga Smith is ready to make his long-awaited debut for the Blues.Credit: Eddie Jim
“He [Dean] has really impressed so far in the exposure that we have had from him, and he’s going to draw a very long partnership with Weiters [Jacob Weitering] down there [in defence], I’m sure, over a long period of time,” Voss said.
“Obviously, Jagga, most people have seen him over the last couple of weeks, and the impact that he can have on games and probably how valuable he is going to be to us in the short term and long term.”
Key defender Weitering is expected to line up, despite cracking ribs in the last month’s State of Origin clash in Perth.
Voss said Weitering had completed managed contact work in recent days, but needed to complete “uncontrolled” contact work at training on Tuesday – and recover well – to prove his fitness. The Blues allowed the media to film only their warm-ups, but this masthead later watched Weitering play at full back and move well in match simulation.
Despite cracking some ribs playing in the State of Origin game, Jacob Weitering is expected to take up his position as the pillar of Carton’s defence.Credit: Eddie Jim
Weitering, should he play, will have a major assignment at the SCG – the task of quelling Curnow, his former teammate who won two Coleman medals at the Blues and man he has lined up on many a time at training.
“We are fully aware of the capacity the guy has … he’s certainly got X-factor, there is no doubt about that,” Voss said.
