The inside story on why club legend Stephen Silvagni is set to leave Carlton
Blues legend Steve Silvagni has been the architect of a huge overhaul at Carlton in his five seasons at the club. So why — despite his overwhelming success — is he likey to move on?
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A series of rolling disputes over recruitment targets and a desire to give his sons clear air at Carlton is expected to see Steve Silvagni move on from the club.
Footy’s worst-kept secret is expected to be confirmed after the November 27-28 drafts as Silvagni moves on from his lucrative position.
Officially Silvagni is Carlton’s general manager of list manager and strategy but he has been the architect of one of footy’s great list overhauls.
Silvagni had near-unfettered power to make a series of complicated and mostly successful trades that saw the Blues bring in exciting young kids and a series of GWS rejects.
But chief executive Cain Liddle and football boss Brad Lloyd are much more process-driven than past administrations and have at times butted heads with Silvagni.
Senior coach David Teague on Wednesday played down tension over the recruitment of Eddie Betts despite admitting he was not part of the youth-led resurgence.
But a series of moves leading up to and including the trade period confounded even impartial observers.
Richmond’s Brandon Ellis was wooed all year by the Blues before a sudden about-face in the week leading into the finals.
The Herald Sun understands he had a private tour of Ikon Park with senior officials mid-year and believed he would be at Carlton then was stunned to be told the Blues had lost interest.
Forward Dan Butler was similarly bemused when Carlton went cold on him after contrasting views from Silvagni and list manager Mick Agresta on the club’s interest.
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His manager Alex McDonald was forced to clarify Butler’s future after Silvagni said the club had no interest and Agresta said it was pursuing him all in the space of one morning.
Ellis eventually found a home at Gold Coast and Butler at St Kilda.
Silvagni’s position has been made more difficult by the presence of two of his sons — Jack and Ben — on the list, with youngest son Tom draft-eligible next year.
Ben Silvagni is a raw young key position player taken at pick 70 who was a speculative selection given little exposed TAC Cup or under-age form.
Former Carlton coach Denis Pagan told the Herald Sun mid-year that it was almost impossible to be at a club as an official with your son on the list after his own issues with son Ryan at North Melbourne.
Jack Silvagni put together and excellent second half of the 2019 season and earned himself a contract extension.
Carlton remained tight-lipped on Thursday about Silvagni’s position, with list manager Mick Agresta and recruiting manager Paul Brodie part of his list management team.