Emerging Carlton midfielder Jagga Smith has thrown his support behind Josh Fraser, as the interim coach weighs up a possible play for the full-time role.
Fraser has repeatedly stated that he is 'not ready' for the rigours of senior coaching, but his 9-2 record in the chair has quickly become undeniable, after he took the reins from Michael Voss, who had the club sitting at an abysmal 1-8, in mid-May.
Smith's own play has been stellar all year, under both coaches, and when speaking to Triple M's The Rush Hour with JB & Billy on Tuesday, Smith threw his support behind his current boss.
“He's been unbelievable," Smith said.
"There's been a lot of talk about him, and the funny thing is he's just a really calm character. (He's) very level-headed, doesn't get too carried away, and he doesn't ride the rollercoaster of AFL.
"I looked at him and I thought, ‘I want to do what he does!' He's so calm… every Monday you wouldn't know whether we won or lost. We absolutely love him, as players, and he's been amazing for us.
"(He's) very relaxed, so I think that carries onto the players as well. We've been playing with freedom, and the results have been going our way in the last ten weeks.”
Carlton's results are not the only thing going the right way, with Smith earning himself a slice of history in Round 21's shock thumping of reigning premiers, Brisbane.
Smith became just the third player in the history of the AFLCA's Champion Player of the Year award to receive the full 10 votes for their performance against the reigning premier, joining Brownlow Medallists Chris Judd and Nathan Fyfe in achieving the feat.
List of players to poll the perfect 10 @AFLCoaches_ votes in a game vs the reigning premiers before turning 21
Chris Judd
Nat Fyfe
JAGGA SMITH@CarltonFC @AFL #AFLBluesLions
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) August 3, 2026
Smith is the unbackable favourite to claim this year's Rising Star gong, a fair way ahead of teammate Harry Dean, as far as bookmakers are concerned.
When pressed as to whether or not Smith, on the back of his peerless form, would like the man stewarding through his first season of AFL games to continue in the role, the youngster shirked responsibility for the decision, but reinforced the playing group's love for "Frase".
“It's not my call… I'm only 19 years old (sic), so they won't be asking me! He's an amazing guy and it's up to him; it's his decision whether he wants to go into the process. But I know that us players absolutely love him,” Smith said.
Fraser's standing in the public eye only grew following the trouncing of Brisbane, after it was revealed he fulfilled his coaching duties despite the passing of his beloved father, just days earlier.
