Carlton’s Jack Silvagni showing good signs after move to midfield in VFL
AFTER being dropped twice from AFL ranks this season Jack Silvagni is showing Carlton he’s no one-trick pony after impressing in a new role. But is he the answer as the Blues seek midfield support?
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JACK Silvagni is thriving in his new role as a VFL inside midfielder 12 months after the Blues saved Liam Jones’ career with a positional switch.
The son of list manager and club legend Steve Silvagni has now played five games as a midfielder after being dropped twice this year.
Last weekend against Essendon he attended 19 centre bounces and in a 109-ranking point game had 22 possessions, four clearances, seven tackles and five score involvements.
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He was named Carlton’s best player in a contest where they lost highly-rated half back Tom Williamson for the year with more back stress reaction issues.
The Blues are crying out for more strong-bodied midfielders to help Patrick Cripps as Marc Murphy’s future at the Blues remains in doubt.
Silvagni is contracted for next season but his lack of pace means he might be limited as a key forward, having also had limited forays as a defender.
Three weeks ago against Williamstown in a 154-ranking point game he had 20 possessions (14 contested), eight clearances, kicked three goals and had six tackles.
If the 20-year-old is looking for an inspiration he might find out in Jobe Watson, who was himself schooled by Greg Williams as a clearance players.
Like Silvagni, he arrived at his club as a Xavier College father-son who had played as a key position player in the private school system.
Silvagni is a centimetre taller than Watson at 191cm and at 89kg is big enough to throw his weight around in an era of 190cm-plus midfielders.
Carlton was able to breathe new life into Liam Jones’ career in the final year of his contract, thrusting him to full back after a career as a roaming forward.
He earned a lucrative new contract after a brilliant finish to 2017, recently finding form again after a rocky start to the 2018 season.
The Blues made Jones prove himself with a lengthy VFL stint, with Silvagni continuing to work on his craft to ensure he is ready once elevated.
MELBOURNE defender Jayden Hunt is again knocking down the selection door after twice being dropped from Melbourne’s best side.
Like Angus Brayshaw before him, he is being handed some tough love to improve aspects of his game despite his undoubted talent.
Last week against Frankston he had 24 possessions, 11 intercept possessions, seven intercept marks and seven score involvements.
Melbourne might at some stage rest one of their steady hands in defence, with Bernie Vince and Jordan Lewis playing strong roles at half back.
With Michael Hibberd and Neville Jetta automatic selections in the back six Hunt will have to show consistent VFL form.
But after finishing 12th in last year’s best-and-fairest and playing every game he will be desperate to break back into the senior team.
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