OVER A decade in the making.

Answering the call from Shane O’Sullivan, Brett Ratten returned to IKON Park on Thursday to officially present Jagga Smith with his new No.7 jumper.

Joining a host of past greats with premiership success on Royal Parade, Ratten was joined in the room by the likes of David Parkin, Scott Camporeale and Jim Buckley in the annual first-year player induction.

Welcoming Smith to the fold, Ratten - who is at Hawthorn as an assistant coach - had poignant words for the new Blue.

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Returning Ratten's special message for new No.7, Jagga Smith

At the Blues' first-year player induction, former champion Brett Ratten returned to IKON Park to present Jagga Smith with the No.7 jumper: watch the presentation above.

“I want you to remember one thing: have no regrets… make sure when you’re 53 like I am, you sit there and have no regrets of what you’ve done in the game,” Ratten said.

“It was only the other day when I was walking in here as a 14-year-old kid, now coming back 12 years later as a 53-year-old - the game and life passes you by quickly.

“I know you can play a bit. The Hawks did ask if I could put you in the back of the ute and bring you back with me.”

For Ratten’s extended speech, watch the video in the player above.