‘No longer playing, but always a Blues person’: Father-son’s heartfelt farewell as favourite emerges

Jack Silvagni has made a heartfelt message to the Blues after his departure from the club as a free agent, saying “I will always consider myself a Carlton person.”

Silvagni told the Blues he will leave the club this off-season, though his next destination is yet to be determined.

It ends the three-generation Silvagni family legacy at Princes Park of his legendary dad Stephen and grandfather Serge that amounts to 679 V/AFL games played across 40 seasons.

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The 27-year old took to social media via an Instagram post to tribute his time at the Blues.

“To the Carlton Football Club. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream,” Silvagni wrote.

“Ever since I was a little boy, all I wanted to do was play for Carlton. For 10 years I was fortunate enough to live out that dream and it is something I will be forever grateful for.

“The honour of pulling on the guernsey and the responsibility that comes with that has and never will be lost on me. I endeavoured to give everything I had to the jumper every time I pulled it on and do proud the privilege that was bestowed upon me.

“The Carlton Football Club has given me more in life than I could have ever imagined. I was lucky enough to grow up around players I idolised, become friends with them, make new lifelong friends and mentors, meet my wife, make incredible memories and now over the last year I’ve been able to bring my son into the world and take him to work with me. These are things I’ll forever cherish.

“I’m incredibly proud to have played 100 games and forever have my name on the locker underneath my Nonno and Dad, especially when there were times it looked like I may not make it.

“To the boys, I’ll miss you. Thank you for accepting me and making work an amazing place to be.

“To the fans, thank you for your support. I sat over the other side of the fence as a supporter for 18 years. I understand the passion, pain and privilege that comes with being a Carlton fan. I feel it, just like you feel it. I always have.

“While I may no longer be playing, I will always consider myself a Carlton person and definitely a Carlton supporter.”

Silvagni has not decided whether he will sign with Collingwood or the Western Bulldogs, having completed medicals at both clubs.

All three clubs are offering similar four-year deals but Silvagni’s main reason for leaving is seeking premiership success.

The Magpies finished the season fourth with the AFL’s oldest list while the Bulldogs are set to miss the finals with a younger group that desperately needs defensive help.

“Whilst the decision was not easy to leave the football club, I felt the time was right to explore another opportunity,” Silvagni said in a statement via the club.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone at the Club for their support during my time there, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity this Club has given me and my family.”

Silvagni has played 128 games since debuting for the Blues in 2016, used all over the ground but primarily in defence most recently.

His teammate Tom De Koning will sign with St Kilda in free agency and land the Blues a lucrative compensation pick, likely to be Pick 9.

Silvagni, 27, would likely but not definitely warrant a lower level of compensation. At worst the Blues would get an end-of-first-round or second-round pick for his exit.

He was taken with Pick 53 in the 2015 Draft.

“We made it really clear to Jack that we wanted him to remain a Carlton person, however as an unrestricted free agent Jack had a right to meet with a number of clubs and as a result has made his decision to pursue other opportunities, that is the reality of our industry in regard to player movement,” Blues list management boss Nick Austin said.

“As we head into the upcoming Trade, Free Agency, and Draft period this affords us a number of options as we approach this time of year, and we will continue to make decisions that put the interests of the Carlton Football Club first and foremost.”

Jack Silvagni of the Blues runs with the ball during the Round 4 AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 03, 2025 (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, reporter Jon Ralph spoke to the moment Carlton were aware of his impending departure and where he could land next.

“Carlton knew as recently as last week that this deal would never be signed. They offered him a four-year deal in Round 12, and we all know what happens when you wait 12 weeks and don’t even come back to the table to even renegotiate,” Ralph said on Tuesday night.

“It was a fair deal, four year, $650,000. He has offers that are very similar from both Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs. The Pies (are) the rampant early favourite. Essendon (were) involved, but not anymore.

“What I would say, is the tables haven’t necessarily turned, but the Dogs believe they’re up to this one right up to their eyeballs.”

Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane added: “This is Carlton royalty ... (but) he’s felt unloved at the footy club.”

“They think they’ve done the right thing and given him enough, and he’s obviously looked at it and said: ‘I’ve got opportunities elsewhere.’ This has probably been brewing for quite some time.”

Nine’s Chief Football Reporter Tom Morris also reported on Tuesday night that St Kilda can’t be discounted as a potential third suitor for the utility.

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