AFL 2025: Carlton’s Jack Silvagni ready for new move on his road back from knee pain

Jack Silvagni is almost all the way back from his knee injury and when he does return, the Blue will be in a whole new role in a crucial year for his career.

Returning Blue Jack Silvagni is all-in on his move to defence, even it means he has now become a “mole” in Michael Voss’ playing group.

The Carlton utility is closing in on 12 months since he suffered the ACL rupture that ruined his 2024, and hopes to be back into full training by that January 25 milestone.

He will return to action at the other end of the ground, swapping his forward role for one in defence.

Jack Silvagni was forced to watch last year. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

He is yet to fully move on, given Silvagni is now in both the forwards and the defenders WhatsApp groups.

“I am in both, I am a mole,” he joked.

“As far as I know it is legit. I am looking forward to it, I am looking forward to working closely with ‘Weiters’ (Jacob Weitering). I have been down there for bits and pieces but not full time.

“It will be good, it will be a new challenge and one I am looking forward to attacking.”

Given his medium height, Silvagni looms as a natural third defender, a role he might have to fight to win off ex-GWS recruit Nick Haynes.

But he said he wasn’t sure yet what the defined defensive role would be.

Silvagni is almost back in full training. Picture: David Crosling

“There have been preliminary chats, I am sure that will all come to light once the team has become clearer,” he said.

Silvagni spoke at the Peninsula Sotheby’s Portsea Pro Am, which raised funds for the Breast Cancer Network Australia.

While he said he hit the ball “horrendously” on the course, Silvagni doesn’t take getting out and about for granted after being forced to stay horizontal for the first half of 2024.

“I was quite sedentary for quite a period of time and even little things like walking the dogs I wasn’t able to do,” he said.

“I didn’t realise how much it roughs you around but I am not the first and wont be the last and it will be nice now to see the back-end of it.”

Jack Silvagni on course at the Peninsula Sotheby's Portsea Pro Am.

At Carlton training so far in pre-season, Silvagni has appeared active and joined in most drills, as he gets closer to ticking off his final boxes, with a plan to be available for round 1.

This year looms as a vital one for his career, with the 27-year-old coming out of contract after 115 games.

“Now it’s more just integrating me into the contact side of things,” he said.

“Once I get exposed to that in a managed capacity I will be able to join the squad in full force. Things are going well, my loads have progressed well since September.

“My year was interrupted with a number of surgeries so to get back and have a clean run at it and enjoy some time has been good.”

High profile AFL player agent Paul Connors was crowned best celebrity golfer at the Pro Am.

Originally published as AFL 2025: Carlton’s Jack Silvagni ready for new move on his road back from knee pain