Jagga Smith is awarded the Ron Evans Medal as the 2026 Telstra Rising Star. Picture: AFL Photos

JAGGA Smith has become just the second Carlton player to win the Telstra AFL Rising Star Award, capping a brilliant 2026 campaign that confirmed his status as one of the competition's brightest young midfielders.

Smith joins teammate Sam Walsh as Blues to win the prestigious award, receiving the Ron Evans Medal at Tuesday night's AFL Awards ceremony.

ALL AUSTRALIAN TEAM Captain Max makes history, Docker's rare feat, record Indigenous numbers
AFLCA CHAMPION PLAYER Pies star caps incredible season with second coaches' award
LEIGH MATTHEWS TROPHY Daicos completes rare double, Dawson honoured by his peers
RON EVANS MEDAL Blues young gun wins Rising Star, falls just short of perfect season

The 20-year-old won the award with 54 votes (out of a possible 55) ahead of teammate Harry Dean (39) and West Coast's Willem Duursma (29), with North Melbourne's Cooper Trembath (28) and Eagle Jobe Shanahan (nine) rounding out the top five.

After missing his entire first season because of an ACL injury, the No.3 pick from the 2024 draft quickly became a central figure in the Blues' midfield.

He announced himself with 27 disposals on debut against Sydney in Opening Round, then backed it up with 32 touches, 11 score involvements and five tackles against Richmond to earn the round one Rising Star nomination.

From there, he barely looked back. Smith averaged close to 25 disposals, more than four clearances and three inside 50s a game, combining clean hands and sharp decision-making to help lead the Blues into the wildcard round after a blistering second half of the season.

02:48

Starring young Blue leads the attack in incredible night

Jagga Smith is awarded the Robert Walls Medal after amassing 29 disposals, two goals and 12 score involvements in a scintillating outing

Smith was a red-hot favourite for the Rising Star Award by the end of the season, working alongside Patrick Cripps and Walsh to add polish and composure beyond his years.

He saved some of his best football for the second half of the year, including a standout 29-disposal, two-goal performance against Brisbane in round 21 that earned him the Robert Walls Medal as best afield.

Dean had an incredible first season in defence for the Blues, playing 20 games and nullifying some of the competition's best forwards.

Duursma also had a brilliant maiden season in the AFL, with the No.1 draft pick averaging 17 disposals and three tackles from his 22 games.

HISTORY See the full list of Rising Star winners

2026 Telstra AFL Rising Star voting

1st place – Jagga Smith (Carlton): 54 votes
2nd place – Harry Dean (Carlton): 39 votes
3rd place – Willem Duursma (West Coast): 29 votes
4th place – Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne): 28 votes
5th place – Jobe Shanahan (West Coast): 9 votes

Allocation of votes

Andrew Dillon (chair)

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
2. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
1. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)

Eddie Betts

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
3. Harry Dean (Carlton)
2. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
1. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast SUNS)

Simon Black

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
3. Harry Dean (Carlton)
2. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
1. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)

Jude Bolton

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)

Abbey Holmes

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)

Glen Jakovich

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
3. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
2. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
1. Harry Dean (Carlton)

Laura Kane

5. Harry Dean (Carlton)
4. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
3. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
2. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
1. Dyson Sharp (Essendon)

David Mundy

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
3. Harry Dean (Carlton)
2. Jobe Shanahan (West Coast Eagles)
1. Sullivan Robey (Essendon)

Joel Selwood

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Mitchell Edwards (Geelong Cats)

Kevin Sheehan

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast SUNS)

Greg Swann

5. Jagga Smith (Carlton)
4. Harry Dean (Carlton)
3. Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
2. Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne)
1. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast SUNS)