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How Silvagni’s defensive shift came about and how the Blues could replace Newman
Andrew Slevison • January 31st, 2025 12:48 pm
Carlton’s Jack Silvagni has confirmed he’ll play in defence in 2025.
The versatile 27-year-old has filled multiple roles throughout his 115-game career whether it be as the third tall forward, in a back-up ruck position or helping out in the backline.
When he is again available to play following last year’s ACL injury, Silvagni says he will slot in down back to provide support for Jacob Weitering.
The move was borne out of off-season exit meeting discussions with coach Michael Voss as Silvagni sensed a defensive opportunity following Brodie Kemp’s successful shift forward.
“I sat down with ‘Vossy’ at the end of last year and we had a pretty candid discussion on where my role sits in the team,” Silvagni said on SEN Breakfast.
“Obviously ‘Kempy’ had a look forward at the end of last year and played that role quite well, so there was an opening down back which I was really keen to explore.
“I played it in bits and pieces throughout the early days of my career, but probably not trained it in a capacity that allowed me to play the role at a high level.
“I’m really looking forward to getting involved and playing it for the better part of the year.”
Silvagni explained how he plans to make a home for himself as a defender after pondering where he saw himself producing his best footy for the Blues.
“I wanted to have an understanding of where my role fit in the team,” he added.
“Being out for the year I watched the team and saw blokes take on roles that they filled well. I saw that down back we were short of a second key back and I think that’s a role that I can help ‘Weiters’ out with.
“It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to attacking. I haven’t played a lot there, but my competitiveness and my hatred of getting beaten is going to hold me in good stead there. Then just picking up the intricacies along the way of the system defence and body-positioning and what not.
“And I’ve obviously got dad (Blues legend and AFL Team of the Century full-back Stephen) I can lean on as well for advice. I’m looking forward to it.”
Silvagni says his pre-season training is progressing quickly after his ACL injury 12 months ago and he’ll rejoin the main group this week ahead of match sim games.
It will be in those practice matches where Voss and his coaching staff will trial a few different players across half-back to fill the void left by Nic Newman who will miss the 2025 season with a ruptured patella tendon.
“It’s an opportunity for one of the younger boys to step up or even some of the SSP guys that are training on with us or potentially people changing roles,” Silvagni said of the situation.
“Ollie Hollands has gone across half-back, he did a little bit towards the back end of last year. He’s providing some real run and dash down there.
“Matt Carroll (SSP), who didn’t have a lot of football last year with some groin soreness, he got delisted last year but has been training really strongly.
“Nick Haynes will come in, Mitch McGovern can play a higher role, even ‘Saady’ (Adam Saad), who hasn’t played a lot of footy up the ground, could potentially play that role too.
“While it’s definitely disappointing to lose Nick, the boys will be quite bullish about the opportunity that arises for someone else to take the next step.”
Silvagni and the Blues will continue to prepare for the 2025 season with a unofficial practice match against St Kilda at IKON Park on February 22 before meeting GWS in the AAMI Community Series on February 28.
Their 2025 season proper kicks off in Round 1 against Richmond at the MCG on March 13.
