PUTTING things in perspective. 

Ahead of a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital, Carlton defender Jack Silvagni spoke on the importance of the Good Friday appeal and their role as players participating in the Good Friday clash with North Melbourne.

Silvagni also lauded a team effort against the Eagles and the challenge that awaits against the Kangaroos. 

Here's what he had to say. 

On the importance of the Good Friday clash: 

"We’re very privileged to play in the Good Friday game. I’ve been here a number of times over my last ten years and to hear some of the stories and what the kids and the families are going through but also the work that the nurses and doctors do here, it’s really inspiring.

"We’re super privileged that we can represent the kids and the workers in some small way on Friday and play our part."

On fatherhood changing his perspective: 

"I was thinking about it this morning, I couldn’t imagine going through what some of the families are going through. It’s a devastating time for them but the work that the nurses and doctors and all the staff do here to provide as much care and support as they can for the sick kids is amazing.

"My heart goes out to all the families dealing with trying times at the moment. It puts things in perspective, at the end of the day, we just play a game, but to be able to represent them and play our part in some small way is really nice."

On the Eagles' clash and securing their first win of the season: 

"It was nice. It was obviously a really disappointing start, but we had a job to do over there. Sometimes away trips can galvanise a group when you get away together, have a meal together and stay with one another and enjoy each other’s company, and it was trying conditions out there, it was bloody hot.

"I think we played a brand of footy, a real contested style of footy that will hold us in good stead and something that we want to aspire to is that contested brand. It was nice to get the job done."

On Brodie Kemp's injury: 

"I think we’re still waiting on scans but it is disappointing for Kempy, seeing him go down like that. He’s done a mountain of work over the pre-season and put himself in a position to play some really good footy. We saw him get the reward for effort with five goals a couple of weeks ago.

"You never like seeing someone go down, especially your own teammate, it will be difficult to cover but he’ll do rehab and get it right, whatever it may be."

On Harry McKay's concussion: 

"He’s okay, he’s got a nice shiner under his right eye. I think he’s entered concussion protocols and will miss this week but he’s been really good around the place.

"It was good to see him back out there, but disappointing for him to miss a week, but he’s the ultimate professional so he’ll bounce back and be right."

On the outcome of the Gather Round game: 

"I wouldn’t say it’s a relief. I think we have a belief in what we can do. We weren’t playing to the standard we aspire to, but we tinker with a few things and things can go our way pretty quickly.

"We understand it’s early in the year, and we believe that we have a style of game that can hold us up for the long run.

"We’ll go in, we’ll review it, it wasn’t a perfect game by any means so there will be things to improve on, things we did really well and move forward pretty quickly to Friday."

On North Melbourne's season so far: 

"I think they’ve been super competitive for the most part. The competition is so close, so you can’t afford to take liberties or rest on your laurels. It’s really important that you take every game for what it’s worth.

"We know it’s a big game, public holiday, playing for a great cause, which we have for the last two years now. We know there is more on the line and North will come to play and so will we so I’m expecting a good contest."

On his role as a defender: 

"It’s nice to be back, I’ve missed a bit of footy over the last few years. It’s nice to find a role and have the trust amongst the boys and the coaching staff to be able to fufill that from week to week.

"I’ve really enjoyed playing down there, I’ve worked closely with Weiters, Nick Haynes and Mitch McGovern for the majority of the pre-season. It’s nice being back."

On Tom De Koning: 

"I don’t think it’s our job, I think it’s up to the list manager and that department to get it done. 'King' is playing some really good footy at the moment, and it’ll be a great contest between him and Xerri this week, both probably vying for All-Australian ruck at the moment.

"There’s always going to be talk about it, but it’s not our job to delve into it. He’s our mate, he’s our teammate, we’ll support him, but we’re pretty comfortable with where it stands."