IT’S LIKE he never left… even if he’s doing it in what’s largely a new role for him.
Carlton fans loved seeing Jack Silvagni return in the Navy Blue jumper at the start of the season, having missed the 2024 campaign with an ACL injury sustained in the last week of January.
The fact that he’s been able to fill a critical role for the Blues has been an even better bonus.
So often a cog in the forward line with fellow draft class members Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay throughout his first eight seasons at the level, Silvagni is now alongside Jacob Weitering as the support down back.
It’s not completely new to Silvagni, who has spent time down back intermittently throughout his time at Carlton… but then again, there really isn’t a spot he hasn’t been in over the journey.
But aside from being swung to the forward line in Round 2 following a late change to the team, Silvagni has been stationed in defence for the most part - and the early signs have been one of the big positives for the Blues so far in 2025.
Ranking third at the Blues for intercept possessions and sixth in the AFL for spoils, Silvagni has been a key part of a Carlton defensive unit which ranks fourth in the competition for points against after six rounds. On top of that, he’s been in 16 defensive one-on-ones this season according to Champion Data (six more than any other teammate) yet has lost only one of those.
And for teammates both old and new, his return has been a welcome sight.
“It’s one where you don’t even think about it: it feels like he’s played 100 games down there with the way he’s started the year,” Matthew Cottrell told RSN.
“He’s close with ‘Weiters’ and they got drafted together, which helps with that chemistry. He’s got good help around him with ‘Haynesy’ and ‘Gov’. He’s been taking the most dangerous forward and like when he was up forward, he fights to the death and gives 110 per cent effort.
“We love him for it.”
Then there’s Nick Haynes, who has known Silvagni for a number of years but is now a counterpart for the first time.
He’s been able to get a first-hand look at the Blues’ No.1 in the first six rounds as well as over the course of pre-season, lauding not only how he’s taken to a new role, but also for his leadership in training and on game day.
“He’s a competitor who hates losing, and he’s a calming presence down there.
“To come back from the injuries he’s had, to have so much time off and be able to impact straight away and be so consistent, it’s a credit to the work he’s put in.
“He’s so reliable down there and playing some great footy at the moment.”
Silvagni’s start down back
35 intercept possessions - No.3 at Carlton
13 intercept marks - No.2 at Carlton
34 spoils - No.1 at Carlton, No.6 in AFL
Lost just one of 16 contested defensive one-on-ones
