Magpies emerge as suitor for Jack Silvagni with Blue’s future still unclear

Jack Silvagni has been a rare bright spark for the Blues in 2025, but with his future still uncertain, one of Carlton’s main rivals is plotting to steal the favourite son from Ikon Park.

Collingwood has emerged as a shock suitor for Carlton free agent and favourite son Jack Silvagni.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Magpies have expressed interest in the 194cm defender as part of a plan to bolster the club’s defensive stocks for next season.

While formal talks are yet to ramp up, Silvagni’s future at Carlton is up in the air with five weeks remaining in the season despite an excellent year.

The Blues have tabled a decent four-year offer to keep Silvagni, but he remains undecided on his contract.

Jack Silvagni remains undecided on his future. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Carlton is set to lose high-priced ruckman Tom De Koning to St Kilda as part of a significant list rejig at season’s end after two disappointing years.

But a switch to the arch rival from Silvagni – who is from one of Carlton’s most famous families – shapes as one of the most significant and surprising moves of the exchange period.

Silvagni’s exit could net the Blues a second-round draft pick (currently number 25 which will slide out) as compensation for the backman, pending his new salary at Collingwood if he makes the bombshell defection.

It looms as a shrewd decision from the Magpies as Silvagni, 27, is an unrestricted free agent and would cost Collingwood nothing in a trade.

Silvagni has become one the of the best defenders in the competition in his first season in the backline, and was named in Champion Data’s mid-season All-Australian team before a groin injury struck.

He could help support superstar captain Darcy Moore and replace veteran Jeremy Howe, who is yet to clinch a new deal at Collingwood for next season.

Silvagni could be the Pies’ replacement for ageing defender Jeremy Howe. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

A move for his signature continues the Magpies’ list management strategy of topping-up with mature-age players and free agents to help keep the club in the premiership window.

Collingwood last year snared Port Adelaide star Dan Houston and GWS Giant Harry Perryman and have risen to become the premiership favourite this season as they target a second flag in three years.

But the Magpies would have to offer Silvagni a four or five-year deal to win his signature.

The versatile backman won’t rush a decision on his future as his manager, Tom Petroro, from TGI / TLA, prepares for key talks with both clubs.

The Blues’ trajectory for next season is uncertain as new CEO Graham Wright prepares to put his stamp on the club in this year’s exchange period amid claims the Blues’ premiership window has closed.

Harry McKay’s future is also unclear as clubs such as Melbourne and Sydney chase a key forward.

But leaving Carlton would be a difficult decision for Silvagni who is one of the most popular and valued members of the Carlton playing group after he was taken as a father-son 10 years ago.

Jack’s father, Stephen, and his grandfather, Sergio, are both members of Carlton’s team of the century.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 30: Jack Silvagni of the Blues jogs laps during a Carlton Blues AFL training session at Ikon Park on June 30, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

However, Stephen Silvagni, who is one of the greatest full backs in the game’s history, fell out with the Blues over his exit from the club as list manager in 2019.

The Blues sacked Stephen as list manager due to the “increasing complexity of having two sons on the playing list”.

Ben Silvagni was delisted in 2020.

But the family has attempted to keep matters separate.

Jack Silvagni has played largely as a forward over his career and had struggled to cement his position until this season after a knee reconstruction last year.

The 128-gamer has also experienced groin troubles this year which have sidelined him since the loss to Port Adelaide a fortnight ago.

Collingwood has flagged it intends to re-sign superstar veterans Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, but defender Howe, onballer Tom Mitchell and key forward Mason Cox face uncertain futures.

Originally published as Magpies emerge as suitor for Jack Silvagni with Blue’s future still unclear