NEW Blues Finbar O'Dwyer and Ben Silvagni believe they can bring versatility to the Blues' playing list.
The Xavier College schooolmates became teammates at Carlton last Friday, selected with picks Nos.66 and 70 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.
Speaking for the first time since being drafted, the 18-year-old O'Dwyer - who recently had a 10cm growth spurt - said he also saw himself filling key position roles.
“I was more of a pocket, rotating off the bench was my job. I’m more of a bigger man now, and a bit more of a key position,” O’Dwyer said.
“I think I bring a bit of zip on the forward line and I’m not a bad mark, so hopefully I can help the boys.
"There’s a good culture here - I'll work to improve... I’m ready to hit it hard.”
Meanwhile, Silvagni put sibling rivalry down as a source of the competitiveness he brings to his football.
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His older brother Jack was drafted in 2015 and has played 43 games for the Blues over the last three years. Silvagni, who was taken at pick No.70 via the father-son selection at the draft on Friday, said he would apply that fierceness to whichever opponent he came up against.
“It’d be good to beat Jack, but you’ve got to bring that competitive nature against every opponent you play against,” Silvagni said of the prospect of being lined up against his brother at training.
"That there is the most powerful guernsey in the AFL."
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) November 27, 2018
Powerful words from the senior coach.#BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/Ywaw6I4ydk
"Jack and I, like any brother, and my little brother Tommy, we always wanted to beat each other whether that be video games, basketball, or any other sports. I guess that competitive nature and rivalry we bring into our footy as well.”
Ben is yet another Silvagni to join the Blues, after his grandfather Sergio, father Stephen and brother Jack all pulled on the iconic guernsey over the past six decades.
While the family legacy might be strong, Ben said he fully expects he will need to work hard to earn a spot in Carlton’s playing list.
“I would love to get a pre-season game in. That would be an unbelievable experience but I 100 percent expect to come through the Northern Blues and just build on my form and confidence through them,” Silvagni said.
“It’d be awesome to work my way into the senior team this year, but I think the list is getting stronger and stronger every year, so I wouldn’t be too disappointed if that didn’t happen because obviously we’ve got some of the best young players in the league. It’s going to be tough for spots every week.”
As he prepares for life as an AFL footballer, Silvagni said he was keen on paving his own way in navy blue.
“I think I’m pretty versatile. I can play at both ends of the ground so I’m a key position player. I’m a lock-down defender or a lead up forward," Silvagni said.
"I’m a little bit taller than Jack and Dad, but I just really want to make a name for myself and build on the legacy that dad and my nonno have left here.”