Jack Silvagni is yet to open contract talks with Carlton, but says he wants to “take the club forward to success” as the reborn defender remains focused on continuing to produce arguably career-best form in his return from an ACL injury.
Silvagni has been revitalised as a key defender in Michael Voss’ side to play a key role in one of the AFL’s stingiest defences so far in 2025.
Out of contract and eligible for free agency at the end of the season, the 27-year old’s priority is putting his best foot forward on the field.
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
“There hasn’t been any talks as of yet. I’ll leave that to the club and my manager to sort out,” Silvagni told foxfooty.com.au after Carlton’s Good Friday mauling of North Melbourne.
“I’m sure I’ll get a call at some point. I’m not too worried about that, just focusing on playing footy.”
Asked if he wants to stay at the Blues beyond 2025, Silvagni answered: “I’ve been a Carlton player for 10 years and a Carlton person well beyond that.
“I really do want the best for the club and to take the club forward and see success. I know the pain fans have gone through for the last 30 odd years. I feel for them, but I do want to see the club succeed.”
Silvangi’s shift to defence in Round 1 for his first AFL game in exactly 600 days came after his entire 2024 season was wiped out by an ACL injury.
He joined a new-look Blues defence alongside fellow additions Nick Haynes and Ollie Hollands, plus staples Jacob Weitering, Mitch McGovern and Adam Saad.
A Silvagni standing tall in defence is a familiar sight for Blues fans.
After making his name as a forward, Silvagni is now thriving in a part of the ground his famous father, Carlton legend Stephen, is regarded as one of the greatest ever, named at fullback in the VFL/AFL Team of the Century.
The son of a gun explained his move to the backline came following an off-season meeting with Michael Voss after Brodie Kemp’s switch forward created an opening at the other end.
“It’s something I wanted to explore and ‘Vossy’ was open to it as well,” Sivagni said.
“Since then I’ve been really trusted by the group and coaching staff to take that role and make it my own.
“Playing defence is a contest and I really enjoy the contest side of footy. It simplifies everything.
“I know there’s team defence and all that. But at the end of the day, it’s you vs. your man and trying to not let him get a touch and kick goals.
“It’s nice to be back out there getting a kick, it’s been a long time between drinks.”
While Silvagni is flourishing down back, he doesn’t wish he moved into the role sooner in his career.
“There were games when we were going well when Harry (McKay), Charlie (Curnow) and I worked really well together. I played a lot of decoy for those boys, but that was my job, I got the lick of the ice cream every now and then,” he continued.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It’s easy to say (I should’ve moved into defence earlier), but I don’t have any regrets.”
Silvagni isn’t the only big-name Blue out of contract, with Tom De Koning one of the most sought after players on the market as he also prepares to enter free agency.
De Koning has ascended himself as one of the best talls in the game in 2025 including calls he outduelled star Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri last Friday night.
It seems De Koning’s value is going up weekly, with reports St Kilda — where Stephen Silvagni is now list manager — could offer him as much as $1.7 million per season.
Asked if he’s gotten in his dad’s ear to tell him to keep his hands off De Koning, Silvagni said: “I think the Saints and a few other clubs (are chasing De Koning), particularly after that performance (against North).
“I think he’s the best ruckman in the competition at the moment. I can’t speak highly enough of him, he’s just a work horse. I love playing with him and watching him play.
“I think he’s worth every cent at the moment.”
Carlton’s back-to-back wins saw it improve to 2-4 to now sit in striking distance of the top eight.
After a slow start to the season, the Blues are finding their groove following those victories over West Coast and North Melbourne, but a bigger test against Geelong awaits on Sunday.
“We’ve put up two four-quarter performances back to back … we don’t take the wins lightly, the competition is so strong and close at the moment,” Silvagni said.
“If you’re five or 10 per cent off, you get punched in the face. You’ve got to approach every game on its merit.
“I think after the first four weeks we’ve been able to lock into a few non negotiables as a team. Our defence has been really strong, it’s been more our ball movement and finding avenues to goal.
“Improving in those areas is something we’ve looked at strongly, so it’s been nice to see it come to fruition over the last couple of weeks.”
Discussion about this post