IT WAS quite the journey to get to this point. 

But now that Jagga Smith is here, he's ready to get to work, repay the faith and seize the opportunity.

After a string of moves in the Telstra Trade Period, the Blues got their man in the smooth-moving Oakleigh Chargers midfielder with pick No.3: this is what Smith had to say when speaking to media.

On his initial reactions to being drafted to the Blues:

"For Carlton to put the trust in me, they obviously traded up the order to get a midfielder. For me to be that player, it really means a lot to me and I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands."

On earning a spot in the midfield group:

"It’s a tough midfield to crack! I haven’t really thought about it as I’ve just had my name called out. I just want to contribute to the Club and earn my spot."

On his reaction to the initial trade for pick No.3 back in October:

"I couldn’t really believe it. Carlton was never really in the picture for me, I didn’t think midway through the year they’d be the likely landing spot.

"At the Combine they didn’t meet with me because they didn’t have that pick yet. When that went through I thought it could be a chance if it went my way. For it to happen is just amazing."

On what he can provide to the Blues' midfield group:

"The point of difference for me is my quick feet, my ability to get from inside to outside and being one-touch. They’re the main strengths of my game, being able to find the ball and hopefully being able to make my teammates better. That’s the main thing."

On which Carlton midfielder he's watched closely:

"Sam Walsh is a player that in that midfield group that I look at the closest. He’s a similar height, a running player so he’s the one I’ve looked at closely throughout my junior pathway. I want to learn off him as soon as I get in there."

On being an early pick but arriving at a team which has made two straight finals appearances:

"Normally the early draft picks aren’t normally up there on the ladder, but for Carlton to be a contender next year, it’s really exciting for the football club. For me personally, I want to get in there and earn the respect of my teammates, put my best foot forward to impact for the Club."

On being a Collingwood supporter... in a past life:

"They were the arch enemy Carlton, but now it’s Collingwood that’s the arch enemy!"

On how he spent his year after graduating high school in 2023:

"It was an edge I had over others, that I had that year out. I was also mindful to not have footy consume me this year, because there’s a bit of pressure in your draft year. I tried to be balanced but also do a bit of extra work with the year out of school."

On having his sights set on an early Carlton debut:

"Any draftee wants to come in and play as early as possible. I know that pick No.3 is just a number and I’ll be treated the same way as someone that’s a different pick number to me. I want to get in there, earn the respect and hopefully play as soon as possible."

On what advice he had received to that point:

"I’ve had a little bit of advice, mainly about tonight and soaking up the night. Obviously a lot of people have helped me get into this position, so getting around to them and saying thanks for everything they’ve done for me."

On Lance Whitnall:

"I saw he was presenting the jumper tonight so did a quick search just in case I ended up at the Blues. He played 200-odd games, seems like he was a fair player!"