Carlton 2023: Luke Hodge critical of Stephen Silvagni after a SOS no-show at Jack’s 100th

AFL great Luke Hodge has criticised Stephen Silvagni’s decision to reportedly remain in his car as his family celebrated his son’s 100th game, claiming ‘I would have gone down to have the photo’.

Jack Silvagni 100 games dad

Carlton Hall of Fame Legend Stephen Silvagni rejected a pair of invitations to attend a celebration of his son Jack’s 100th game after the club’s dramatic draw against Richmond.

Silvagni has been criticised by AFL figures including Hawks premiership captain Luke Hodge for declining the chance to commemorate the moment.

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps made clear on Friday that Silvagni was always welcome at the club and would have been greeted with open arms despite his current role as St Kilda list boss.

Son Jack reportedly said in his post-match speech after his 100th-game presentation that Silvagni opted to remain in the car instead of entering the Blues rooms.

Silvagni was sacked as Carlton list boss when they said the conflict of him handling sons Jack and Ben, since delisted, was too great.

Ben Silvagni said on social media that his father was “really tired and wanted to go home”.

But it is understood the Blues made several overtures for Silvagni to join his family in the days leading into the ceremony in what was a special moment for Jack given his challenges hitting that milestone in his eighth season.

Jack Silvagni with his family celebrating his 100th game for Carlton with dad Stephen notably absent. Picture: Supplied / Carlton media.

Cripps lauded Silvagni’s contribution to Carlton and said his role at St Kilda wouldn’t have precluded him entering the Blues rooms.

“That’s not my area to comment on but I’m someone that would welcome anyone into the footy club in that moment. That’s not my path to go down, I’ve got a high level of respect for SOS he did a great job for our footy club, people are going to have an opinion on that but as long as the family is happy it doesn’t really matter, does it,” he said.

The Blues are aware of the tension that remains between the dual premiership player and the club given the nature of his sacking in late 2019.

Silvagni claimed in the wake of his departure from Carlton that the club had feared he would “sabotage” the trade period if he remained in charge of the list.

Asked in 2021 what hurt him most about his departure he said: “Probably when your president has a chat to you and he says ‘I’ve fought for you’ (after) the CEO said to him that he felt as though I would sabotage the trade and draft period, that probably hurt me the most.”

Silvagni fell out with then-CEO Cain Liddle despite strong support from president and close friend Mark LoGiudice but both Liddle and LoGiudice have since moved on from the Blues.

Jack and Stephen Silvagni pose with the 2022 premiership cup. Picture: Andrew Hobbs Photography

Luke Hodge told the Seven telecast Silvagni should have put aside his issues with the club to be involved in the family celebration along with his wife and children.

“If I was in his position I would have gone down to have the photo,” he said.

“Jack played and there was a family photo and he was sitting in the car for the photo. I personally would have had a photo with my son playing his 100th game.”

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, who has owned a North Fitzroy pub with Silvagni, said in 2020 LoGiudice should have stepped in to retain Silvagni.

“My view is this: There was clearly some angst and some issues on both sides. A strong president should be able to sit the CEO down, list manager – Hall of Famer of the club – and say, “You two need to sort it out and we’re going to keep both of you’’. That’s my view that should have happened. Unfortunately though they lost the favourite son out of the door.”

Silvagni did not return calls from the Herald Sun on Friday in a week where Jack’s help in securing summer rookie Anthony Caminiti was revealed.

Caminiti was training with Carlton’s VFL program but was so impressive in clashes against All Australian defender Jacob Weitering that Silvagni had told his father, who invited him to train at St Kilda.

He impressed in intra-club clashes and has now been named to play in the round 1 clash against Fremantle on Sunday.

Silvagni’s Saints will be extremely active in the trade period and have already logged interest in Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning.

Originally published as Carlton 2023: Luke Hodge critical of Stephen Silvagni after a SOS no-show at Jack’s 100th