Carlton father-son Jack Silvagni is looking more accomplished than ever, writes Mark Robinson

For a player taken at pick No. 53 in the draft, Jack Silvagni has had to wear some heavy criticism as he attempts to establish his own path. But in two games this year, it’s clear the future is looking bright, writes MARK ROBINSON.

Jack Silvagni has made some big strides this year. Picture: AAP Images

Dump him, trade him, don’t play him — Jack Silvagni has had more criticism thrown at him than Melbourne’s Sam Weideman.

Which is odd considering Weideman was taken at pick No. 9 in the 2015 national draft and Silvagni at pick No. 53 in the same draft.

And while Silvagni would be rapt to be getting a game in Carlton’s top-heavy forward line, Weideman is said to be wanting $650,000 a season from next year in a forward line grasping for top-heavy talent.

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Weideman is 21, 195cm, played 25 games and kicked 21 goals.

Silvagni is 21, 191cm played 45 games and kicked 33 goals.

True, Weideman had to wait behind Tom McDonald and Jesse Hogan for game time and was able to develop in the VFL.

But Silvagni was thrown in at the deep end, playing eight games in his first year as an 18-year-old.

There has been plenty of pressure on Jack Silvagni since he entered the AFL. Picture: Michael Klein

And still it’s Silvagni who has drawn the most heat.

The target on Silvagni has been largely because of his name.

The expectations of the son of the legend was and is enormous, so much so that after just three seasons trying to establish himself as a hybrid forward, it was suggested he best look for another club. The Blues, mind you, thought the suggestion was ridiculous.

In the same week, the Blues picked Silvagni for his first game of the season.

It’s only two games, but clearly Silvagni’s an improved version in 2019.

He’s neither a tall or a small, so it looks like the Blues will play him in a kind of Tom Lynch role, the Adelaide version, which is roam high and be a target in the air.

On Sunday against the Hawks, he had 13 disposals and took seven marks and kicked a clever goal in the final quarter, a quick-thinking boot off the ground in congestion.

Names don’t get any bigger than Silvagni at Carlton. Picture: David Caird

He looks bigger, stronger and fitter and in one marking attempt on the far wing at Launceston, showed a spring which we’ve rarely seen in his game.

The week before, against the Western Bulldogs, he took nine marks, had an equal career-high 18 disposals and seven score involvements.

The query is: Does he hold his position when Charlie Curnow returns?

It remains to be seen if coach Brendon Bolton will consistently play all four of Curnow (192cm), Harry McKay (204cm), Mitch McGovern (191cm) and Levi Casboult (201cm) in the same forward half.

If he does, Silvagni could be forced out.

If it’s three and Silvagni, then Casboult looks the likely departee.

Silvagni’s advantage is he could, at a pinch, play as an inside midfielder.

Could Jack Silvagni push into the midfield? Picture: AFL Photos

When the Hawks took control in the third quarter and early in the final quarter on Sunday, Patrick Cripps looked a little battle weary. As Silvagni’s body adds even more steel, he could be one of the relief mids.

Will Setterfield (192cm) and Matthew Kennedy (190cm) were thought to be those tough on-ballers and Kennedy must be close. He has averaged 10 clearances per game across his four VFL matches this year.

At the weekend, just 28 of the 70 players taken in the 2015 draft played in the senior teams, Silvagni among them, and the coach surely can’t be disappointed with Silvagni’s two games this year.

After three and bit years, he’s looked more accomplished than ever.