Patrick Cripps hints at no role change for Jack Silvagni in 2024, spot in jeopardy

Patrick Cripps has lauded the fire and energy Jack Silvagni brings to the Carlton team, but is there really a place for him on the field in 2024?

Jack Silvagni could again be left as Carlton’s odd ruck out in 2024 after skipper Patrick Cripps said the utility didn’t need to change his role to earn a spot for the Blues.

Silvagni played 16 games for Carlton last year, predominantly as a forward who pinch-hit in the ruck, but didn’t feature after he picked up a knee injury in round 19.

He was not picked despite passing a fitness test ahead of a semi-final win over Melbourne as the Blues didn’t deem him ready and he was again not needed in the preliminary final loss a week later.

Silvagni was out of contract at the end of the season and speculation surrounded his future but he signed a two-year deal in September to stay at Ikon Park.

With Tom De Koning coming off a breakout campaign in combination with Marc Pittonet in the ruck, Silvagni’s role as an undersized back-up appears in jeopardy.

He has never averaged a goal per game in any of his eight AFL seasons and the Blues went with a nimble crew around talls Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow up forward in the finals.

Cripps said Blues players loved stepping out alongside Silvagni.

Silvagni missed the Blues’ run through September. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

But he hinted there was no plan to change Silvagni’s role heading into next season, leaving the utility potentially stuck behind Pittonet and De Koning.

“His role is really important,” Cripps said of Silvagni.

“He plays that hybrid forward, he can play tall, he can play small, he adds pressure.

“I think his biggest one-wood is the competitive energy he has.

“It’s all up to the coaching staff in terms of whether we play two rucks or we go the hybrid role and I just know what you are going to get when ‘SOS’ plays, so we all love playing with him.”

The Carlton captain said depth had driven the majority of senior players to come back early from their off-season break to capitalise on the surprise preliminary final run.

The Blues added Gold Coast midfielder Elijah Hollands and Port Adelaide forward Orazio Fantasia to their squad and were chuffed to draft Ashton Moir and Billy Wilson last month.

“We feel like we have a lot of depth, so competition for spots is really high,” Cripps said, as Carlton announced a new sponsorship with Ampol.

“Guys know that every session matters and it is a healthy competition.

“I think the key for a strong program is your AFL and your VFL teams both performing well and as we keep building that depth, we want both teams at the top.”

DEES TRACK WATCH: RECRUITS TURNING HEADS AT DEES PRE-SEASON

- Jay Clark

Melbourne big man Tom McDonald will make a move into defence as the Demons attempt to ramp up the efficiency in attack next season.

McDonald, 31, has been training in defence as part of a positional switch for the Demons this pre-season, allowing Jacob van Rooyen, Harry Petty, Ben Brown and Josh Schache to lead the key forward division.

And goal kicker Bayley Fritsch is eyeing a return to his best next year as a dangerous mobile marking tall after missing seven weeks late in the season with a foot problem.

Playmakers Shane McAdam, Jack Billings and Koltyn Tholstrup have made an impressive start to their new lives in red and blue this summer, increasing the pressure for spots.

Ben Brown and Tom McDonald at Melbourne training. Picture: Getty Images

Former Crow McAdam and ex-Saint Billings, in particular, have their eyes on a game in the opening match of the season on March 7 against Sydney Swans and former Demon Brodie Grundy, followed by the Western Bulldogs and ex-Demon James Harmes in Round 1 at the MCG on March 17.

McAdam’s and Billings’ polish inside the forward half were key qualities for coach Simon Goodwin who is determined to help the team sharpen the sword inside 50m next year.

Forward Joel Smith will be missing from the side early in 2024 after being provisionally suspended by the AFL for testing positive to cocaine after the Round 23 win over Hawthorn.

The matter is being investigated by Sport Integrity Australia.

The Demons butchered the ball in their two finals losses last season and will attempt to get more value for their forward entries in 2024 to maximise their premiership potential.

Former Saint Jack Billings is pushing for a round 1 Melbourne debut. Picture: Getty Images

But McDonald will head back into defence in an attempt to win a spot as the third key defender alongside Steven May and Jake Lever, with Petty set to play permanently in attack.

McDonald played key forward in the two finals but struggled to have an impact on the back of a serious ankle injury and surgery, gathering six and seven possessions in the two finals.

But McDonald will face competition from Adam Tomlinson who is also determined to secure his place in the senior team, as well as veteran goal kicker Brown after a tough year.

McDonald, Tomlinson, 30, Brown, 31 and Smith, 27, are all out of contract at the end of 2024.

Brown has been training to start the preseason early following another season hampered by serious knee issues, limiting him to only seven games in 2023.

Shane McAdam will add some firepower to the Demons forward line. Picture: Getty Images

But the former Kangaroo is hopeful of overcoming his injury issues and making a meaningful impact for the Demons next season as a genuine full forward option.

Melbourne lost Brown, Fritsch, Petty and McDonald to injury for big chunks last year, forcing the club to turn to McDonald and Smith in key forward roles in finals.

But the club is hoping for more injury luck to its talls for next year after trading ruckman Brodie Grundy to Sydney Swans after dumping him to the VFL in the second half of the season.

Midfield stars Clayton Oliver (knee) and Angus Brayshaw (concussion) are on modified programs as they continue their preseason campaigns with teammates.

Melbourne considered trading Oliver late in the year amid concerns over his off-field behaviour but the club kept him in the hope he can commit to some key standards in 2024.

Originally published as Patrick Cripps hints at no role change for Jack Silvagni in 2024, spot in jeopardy