FOR EVERY draftee that’s ever stepped foot into a sporting organisation, one of the first pieces of advice that gets mentioned is ‘it doesn’t matter what number you were picked’.

That’s the exact mindset that Jagga Smith has embraced since he became a Blue last November.

After an aggressive move up the order during the trade period, the Blues eventually landed Smith with pick No.3, as the young midfielder linked up with close mate Cooper Lord at IKON Park.

Now with the 2025 season just a month away, Smith spoke to 3AW’s Jimmy Bartel about what life is like at AFL level.

“It all happens pretty quickly, being at the top level. You get drafted, and straight away you’re into it,” Smith said.

08:12

Interview: How's Jagga Smith finding pre-season in Navy Blue?

Jagga Smith joined 3AW's Jimmy Bartel for a chat about his first pre-season at the level, 2025 goals and who has taken him under their wing so far during life at Carlton.

“You do get a little bit nervous, as you’re down at the bottom of the pecking order now coming into a club. It’s all about earning the respect of your teammates straight away, which is the main thing I’ve tried to do.

“I’ve loved it so far, it’s been unreal.”

Joining a club with a midfield containing the likes of Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra among others, Smith knew his work would be cut out for him to put his hand up for a potential midfield role in year number one.

But what he has found in that trio is a group of mentors who he has managed to observe and pick the brains of all throughout his few first months at the football club.

What it also means is that Smith knew from the outset he’d need to have extra strings to his bow, which is precisely what he’s gone after.

“Early on, it was definitely Sam Walsh: I watched him really closely. He’s a great player to look at as a young kid coming in, he’s got elite habits and standards so he was someone I wanted to learn off straight away.

“I was then looking at Adam Cerra and ‘Crippa’ with how they prepare: all those three have been really good for my development early on.

“I think I’ll get a bit a taste of playing in the midfield and half-forward. Obviously it’s a pretty tough team to crack, so what I’ve been focusing on is trying to go as well as I can in match simulation and trying to prove to the coaches that I can perform, and prove to the boys and earn that respect.”

As for Round 1 which is officially one month and one day away at the time of writing, Smith knows there are no guarantees.

For a youngster who grew up at the MCG where his mum Kimelle is a long-time employee, it’s only natural that Smith has cast his mind forward a little bit - but he’s not letting that cloud what he needs to do in the present.

“Sometimes it’s not hard to wander, how unreal that would be. But I haven’t played in any praccy games, so I’ve still got to focus on earning the respect of my teammates, proving to my coaches that I’ll be worthy of playing Round 1.

“It would be a dream come true, but I’ve still got a lot to happen first before I can get there.”

Whenever that comes, the main thing is the family of Smith - who grew up modelling his game on Nick Daicos among others - will be in the Navy Blue.

“My old man got drafted to Collingwood in 1988, I was a bit Collingwood fan… not a fan now, obviously - I’m loving it at the Blues!”