AFL

All eyes on young guns showdown for Blues, Tigers clash

Mar 12, 2026

When Richmond dynamo Sam Lalor announced himself to the footy world last year, Jagga Smith had to watch on from the sidelines.

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Now, Carlton's former No.3 draft pick Smith can finally go head-to-head with Lalor, the man taken two selections ahead of him at the end of 2024.

And neither of their coaches can wait to see who comes out on top.

Smith, 20, missed all of his debut season after tearing his ACL last February but had 27 disposals on debut despite Carlton's disappointing loss to Sydney in opening round.

Lalor, 19, kicked two goals from 18 disposals as Richmond stunned Carlton in round one last year and showed glimpses of the forward-midfield dynamo he could become in 11 games before hamstring injuries ruined his 2025.

"Really exciting for Jagga - I've known Jagga for a little while, and you obviously hate seeing young kids get injured," Richmond coach Adem Yze said.

"You obviously feel for them when they're not playing, but then when you get the chance to see them against each other, it's going to be really exciting for both clubs.

"... He's (Smith) obviously going to be a threat that we've got to worry about."

Yze flagged Lalor would be spending more time through the midfield after pinch-hitting last season, likely in a 60-40 forward-midfield split.

Big, powerful Lalor and the slighter, smooth-moving Smith are most likely to come up against each other in the middle.

"I don't think I want Jagga at full back," Blues coach Michael Voss quipped.

"Through the middle, I hope we get to see it. They're both talented young men.

"Having to decipher all the evidence through the draft, they're both very different players: one is very power-orientated, then there's Jagga who we felt was the player for us.Â

"I'm sure Richmond aren't disappointed either. I'm sure they'll cross paths, we obviously hope we get the upper hand."

The game is expected to draw a big crowd, despite neither team playing finals last year.

Yze wouldn't buy into any queries over whether Carlton and Richmond deserved the season opener.

"It's such an important game and such an exciting game for both clubs," he said.

"Even talking to players that are missing out today, a round one game against Carlton is one that you really want to play.

"So there's obviously the mindset around that for players, but for our club and for their club and for the comp, to average an 80,000-crowd every year for however many years we've done that, I think it speaks for itself."