A club's best recruit doesn't always come from the draft or the trade table. More often than not, the best recruits come from the rehab group - a player returning to the main group after a long injury layoff.
We analyse some of the competition's best players set to return from injury in 2026.
3Jagga Smith
A devastating ACL injury late in the pre-season ended Smith's 2025 season in February. It was a brutal blow for the highly-touted youngster who was firming for a Round 1 debut.
The smooth-moving midfielder was selected by the Blues with Pick 3 in the draft in 2024 after putting together a superb underage campaign. Smith averaged 33.8 disposals in the Coates Talent League, 29.2 in the U18 National Championships and 27.0 in four games for Richmond's VFL team. Smith is incredibly evasive, good at stoppage and classy on the outside.
Smith, a player in a similar mould to teammate Sam Walsh, will be a valuable addition to the Blues in 2026 with his powerful running and ability to accumulate the football.
Will likely spend plenty of time on the wing before he becomes a permanent midfielder later in his career.
