Luckless Carlton utility Jack Silvagni will miss the entire AFL season after rupturing his ACL at training.
Silvagni hurt his knee during a match simulation session on Thursday, with subsequent scans revealing he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
“Jack had put in such a significant body of work over summer to put himself in a great position to attack the year, so we are all really feeling for Jack right now,” Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd said.
“While the emotion right now is one of disappointment, it is well known that Jack’s work ethic and commitment to the football club is unwavering, and it is his strong character that will be his biggest strength through his recovery process.
“We will be with him every step of the way through his rehab, and no doubt the entire Carlton faithful will be.
“With the energy he brings, he’ll continue to have a positive impact around the club and within the playing group throughout this season.”
The 26-year-old missed all of Carlton’s three finals last year after struggling with injury issues throughout the season.
The son of club legend Stephen, Silvagni signed a two-year contract in September to remain at the club until the end of 2025.
Macca
Roar Rookie
In the old days we would have Cam's pre-season team by team @n @lyis just around the corner. Its going to be another really tight year I think
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I thought he played less than that. I still think he’s a pretty good utility player. In any case, it gives some other fringe player an opportunity. Not long now until the start of the season. I’m starting to get pumped again.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I didn't mean to imply he was critical to their structure, just that he becomes more important to it if we wanted to play just 1 ruck. It forces us to play the 2 rucks as we don't have anyone else who can play the undersized second ruck role. We may have gone that way anyway but it takes an option off the table. In and out of the side is a little harsh as well, he got injured in round 19 but before that he had played 16 of 18 games but with E Hollands coming in, Fantasia pushing for selection, C Durdin back from injury and Martin fit it would have been very hard for Jack to keep a regular spot.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t exactly call JSOS critical to structure. If he was, he wouldn’t have been in & out of the team last year. Mind you, I suspect he p1$$ed off someone on the Selection Committee, since I’d have him in their best 22.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Depth and structure. JSOS allowed us to play just the one ruck and have him pinch hit - there isn't a clear option to do that without him so I can see us going with 2 rucks.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
No, but they can promote a player from their Rookie List, or delist a player come the mid season draft to bolster their list. The latter is more strategic when a club loses KP players, such as multiple rucks, and may want to bolster this position with a veteran for 6 months. I don’t see Carlton doing this because of such a loss. Jack was in & out of their best 22, anyway. At worst, it affects Carlton’s depth, although important, but not critical to their tilt at the 24’ flag. Marlion Picket is an example of a really good mid season draft pick, and it’s usually taken by teams in contention, so you never know. Carlton always surprise me with what they do, so I have NFI.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Think he played the last 3 or 4 games of the SANFL season but Port for whatever reason didnt pick him for AFL finals,so he should have been right for the start of preseason you would think
Macca
Roar Rookie
Yeah forgot about him, if he does get fit would be right in the mix.
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
With Jack Silvangi out for the Season,Can Carlton Add another Player to its list ....
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Hold on Macca,no mention of Fantasia fighting for a small forward role,he must be injured already one must assume
Macca
Roar Rookie
Always been a big fan of JSOS but I was going to be interested how he fitted into the best 22 this year - McKay and Curnow are locks, Martin showed how important he is to the line up - they seem to have ear marked E Hollands to play as a high half forward and then you have Owies, Motlop, C Durdin and Cuningham fighting for the small forward spot. It looks like Pitto and TDK will both play now. As an aside the AFL have to stop with their click bait healdines - "Big Blue Blow - star forward to miss seasn as BLues confirm ACL injury" is just cruel.