From a Lygon era: Why I can’t cop a Silvagni at Collingwood

Carlton lost the great Alex Jesaulenko to St Kilda as a consequence of a political storm after the 1979 premiership, the season after another celebrated Blue and future coach, Robert Walls, crossed to Fitzroy.

Four-time Carlton premiership hero David “Swan” McKay was a teammate of Jezza and Walls in those glorious and tumultuous times. In his view, the defection of a third-generation Silvagni to Collingwood would be worse than the Blues losing his more decorated teammates.

Third-generation Blue Jack Silvagni.Credit: AFL Photos

“It was bad enough to see Wallsy end up at Fitzroy and Jezza at St Kilda,” said McKay, who played alongside Jack Silvagni’s late grandfather, family patriarch Sergio Silvagni, in the fabled 1970 premiership.

“To have a Silvagni ending up at Collingwood would be even worse.”

Stephen Silvagni with a baby Jack on the day of Stephen’s 250th game.Credit: Vince Caligiuri

Would it really be worse? Not so – Jezza leaving was as wrenching as Ron Barassi’s exit from Melbourne. But I share McKay’s perspective that it would be jarring – read, flat-out wrong – to see Jack Silvagni running around for the Pies.

The Silvagnis are not merely “another” Carlton family. They are the clan most identified with Carlton, whose history on the field – and in supporting roles at the club – is deeper and longer than others. They also have been crucial in fostering the bonds between Lygon Street/the Italian community and the Blues.

Today, it’s a safe assumption that more Carlton fans – certainly Millennials and Gen Z – would fret about the prospect of seeing Charlie Curnow in another club’s jumper than watching the son of SOS in the despised black-and-white stripes.

Curnow is arguably Carlton’s premier player, a rare forward who gets people up and out of their seats when he’s firing. He publicly committed to Carlton after Thursday night’s loss to Hawthorn, calming the Blues’ fans.  But to lose him would be terrible – unless, of course, the Blues could prise someone younger of similar value in return, e.g. Max Holmes, Errol Gulden or Hugh McCluggage, which is about as feasible as Joe Daniher coming out of retirement to play for Melbourne.

But to those of us who cherish heritage – a diminishing contingent of fogeys, to be sure – it would be far worse to see the scion of the Silvagni clan in a Collingwood jumper alongside the Daicii.

Jack Silvagni has excelled in his new role as a key defender this year, in a grim season for the besieged Blues. His late-season groin injury probably deprived him of his highest finish yet in the John Nicholls Medal.

Hitherto, a jack of all trades, who did not have a settled position, Silvagni has become a master of one.

His improved form and sound judgment as a key back supporting Jacob Weitering has been sufficient to win him a contract offer for four years at near enough to $600,000 from Carlton.

This is a fair offer. As a free agent, Silvagni has every right to explore his options, but he should not expect a vastly superior offer from Collingwood or anyone.

Carlton’s willingness to offer four years is a show of faith, considering he did not play for 600 days – missing all of 2024 – following a knee reconstruction on the eve of that season.

Stephen Silvagni in action against Collingwood and Anthony Rocca at the MCG.Credit: Vince Caligiuri

Once relatively optimistic about retaining Silvagni, the Blues are less so now. They are merely hopeful. Jack is genuinely weighing up his options, I’m told. At this stage, it is choice of the ancient foes.

The more ruthless and unsentimental at the Blues will not be panicked about the prospect of the third-generation Silvagni leaving. While a versatile and courageous player of value, he’s still a second-tier footballer who can be replaced, if not immediately. He is not Curnow, Sam Walsh or Weitering.

What must be more concerning for the Carlton hierarchy is there are at least three players contemplating, to varying degrees, a move to another club, since it raises questions about the environment at Royal Parade.

In addition to Curnow’s and Silvagni’s contemplations of a move, Tom De Koning is long odds to stay, thanks to the offer from the club whose list manager happens to be Jack Silvagni’s feted father.

Stephen Silvagni’s estrangement from the club that he and his father served so brilliantly – both are members of Carlton’s team of the century – adds poignancy to the possibility of his son walking to Collingwood, of all clubs.

SOS, removed as list manager in late 2019 because of Carlton’s view that he had a conflict of interest in relation to his sons, has been at odds with Carlton since, snubbing the 30-year reunion of the 1995 premiership this year.

One would hope that Jack’s decision – staying or leaving – is completely based on his own career aspirations.

In an era of hardened professionals who flip clubs as if they were lawyers changing firms, it is natural that footballers, too, wish to further their careers.

Jack Silvagni (left) has eased the defensive load on Jacob Weitering.Credit: AFL Photos

Jack Silvagni might reckon that Collingwood, as the top-placed side, are closer to silverware than the family firm, which has struggled mightily since his father retired.

In terms of family name and connection to club, the Silvagnis are comparable with the Kennedys at Hawthorn. It is true that Josh Kennedy, too, ended up leaving his grandfather’s and father’s club, literally the family club in Kennedy’s case, to establish himself as a star with the Swans.

Josh Kennedy, though, had good reason to leave. He was behind Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Brad Sewell in the inside midfielder pecking order, in a stacked team.

That said, it is still grating to some of us to consider that the Hawks let a Kennedy leave. Had Hawthorn known Josh’s hidden capabilities, I doubt it would’ve happened.

Jack Silvagni has no need to leave Carlton for opportunity. Indeed, while better than Billy Frampton, it is also conceivable that the Pies will stumble upon someone more athletic as a potential foil to Darcy Moore. There are risks for Jack at Collingwood, too.

If he’s looking out for No.1, I hope that, in the interests of Carlton’s heritage, their No.1 stays.

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