Blues consider small forwards as Denis Pagan urges Jack Silvagni to ask for trade
Jack Silvagni has been left languishing in Carlton’s VFL side, unable to break into the worst team in the competition. Former Blues’ coach Denis Pagan says a tough decision could be the key to kickstarting his career.
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Former Carlton coach Denis Pagan has urged out of contract utility Jack Silvagni to ask for a trade as the Blues prepare to secure a dangerous small or mid-sized forward in the off-season.
Silvagni is in the mix to play his first senior game this year for Sunday’s clash against the Western Bulldogs after 20 possessions and two goals in the VFL.
His father Steve Silvagni is the club’s list manager but is an tough spot given the conflict of interest.
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He would be desperate for his out-of-contract son to return to the AFL but must also consider whether to trade for another medium-sized forward after securing Alex Fasolo last year.
Having secured enough elite talent in multiple positions the Blues are aware they can target specific positional needs, with the medium-sized forward role a glaring hole.
Former Carlton coach Pagan believes his coaching career at North Melbourne ended after he selected his son Ryan to play after brilliant VFL form despite opposition from others within the club.
Silvagni is only 21 but a lack of breakneck speed or pure endurance has made it hard for him to thrive as a forward.
“If I was Jack Silvagni I would get out. He can’t win at Carlton,” Pagan told the Herald Sun.
“SOS can’t win, Jack can’t win and Brendon Bolton can’t win.
“It doesn’t matter what you do. You can be hard on your son — harder than anyone else — and you can’t win. I feel sorry for Jack and I feel sorry for Steven.
“It doesn’t matter what they do, there are always going to be people there talking about nepotism. Poor Brendon Bolton, it doesn’t matter what he does. He is under the pump if he doesn’t play him, if he does attack him people will attack him. So he can’t win.”
Carlton’s forward line woes have mainly centred on their midfield-forward connection issues but they are crying out for a star small forward.
Alex Fasolo’s recruitment has not worked out yet — he suffered a back spasm in the VFL last week — while endurance beast Michael Gibbons is yet to kick a goal.
He has kicked 0.5 and averaged 15 possessions and while the Blues admit they targeted him too much last week he fills a role with running power that saw him log 16.9km in a match this year.
Pagan also questioned if the club’s arrangement with coaching mentor Robert Walls could work despite Carlton maintaining he is a support for Bolton rather someone judging his abilities.
“I wouldn’t have thought so. If you need a mentor or someone to help you, are you the right person for the job? They are the questions you ask.
“I feel for Brendon, he has had such a tough initiation and coaches who had previously successful haven’t been able to handle it at Carlton.
“AFL footy is about Ws and Ls. It is a nice touch Cain Liddle put his arm around Brendon’s shoulders but he won’t have much say on his job. There are a lot more powerful people at Carlton that will decide that.”
Silvagni followed his father (Stephen) and grandfather (Sergio) as a Carlton player and has been tried as a mid-sized forward, defender and inside midfielder.
Carlton has been desperate to bring elite talent into the system — whatever the position — which meant they were happy to secure another key position forward Mitch McGovern when he wanted to link up for former coach David Teague.
The club’s key position stocks have been shored up forward and back and the midfield has star power.
OUT OF CONTRACT SMALL FORWARD TARGETS
Ben Crocker (Collingwood)
Out of contract this year and in solid VFL form after 23 games in three years. A hard-leading, strong-marking 188cm forward who might struggle for opportunities in a stacked Collingwood forward line.
Jack Martin (Gold Coast)
Everyone will be into Jack Martin who is the perfect prototype as a mid-forward who can tackle hard, kick goals and win 20-plus possessions. Has kicked double-figure goals in every season, including 24 in 2017 but would cost a bomb given rival interest.
Alex Neal-Bullen (Melbourne)
Kicked 27 goals in 25 games last year as the hardest runner at Melbourne and won 422 possessions — although the Demons did boast huge inside-50 numbers.
Shai Bolton (Richmond)
Only signed a one-year deal at the Tigers and showed his worth last week with a clever goal and 11 disposals among five tackles. Can he keep his spot all year or will he want more chances elsewhere after rebuffing some Adelaide interest last year.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon)
Fresh from seven dynamic goals against Brisbane, he is coming off a three-year contract. Makes things happen as a fall-of-the-ball forward but after being unearthed by the Dons through their VFL system via the NT surely will show loyalty to the Bombers.
Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
Exactly the kind of forward they need, a hit-up forward who can find space inside 50 and be the hard-leading conduit to push up to the wings.
Lewis Taylor (Brisbane)
Averaged 17 possessions and a goal a game (plus nearly one score assists) as a lively half forward in 22 games last year but hasn’t cracked a game so far. Dominant in the NEAFL last week with 137 ranking points, 29 possessions, five tackles, five clearances and a goal.
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Sam Lowson (Coburg)
Played 18 games last year, with the 23-year-old averaging three goals, 97 ranking points and 13.5 possessions (9.5 contested) for Coburg in two games so far this year.
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