Tim Watson says the thought that Carlton’s Jack Silvagni is currently only getting a game due to the presence of his father, Blues great Stephen Silvagni, at the club is massively unfair on the young forward.
The 20-year-old struggled in the opening game of the 2018 season, collecting only six disposals against Richmond last Thursday.
However, Watson says the notion of Silvagni’s place in the side being dictated by his father’s position as list manager is farfetched, despite believing the senior Silvagni would have an “incredibly difficult” time working at the same club as his son.
“I would never have wanted a position at a football club while my son played there. I think it really puts you in a difficult position,” the former Essendon skipper told SEN Breakfast.
“It is that emotional attachment obviously to somebody that is really difficult for you to navigate.
“It is going to be worse right now with people writing stories about his son and attributing the fact that maybe Jack’s getting a game because his dad works at the football club, which I don’t believe.”
Watson says that while Silvagni played poorly against the Tigers, any criticism of the youngster must be made with his position on the field in mind.
“He is being asked to play a really difficult role, and that is the defensive forward. If you’re a fan watching the game, you have to be thinking with that in mind,” he said.
Ex-Melbourne forward Garry Lyon agreed with his SEN Breakfast co-host.
“It’s OK to question whether he has got enough pace and all that, that’s the right of every footy supporter and commentator, but to draw the bow that the Silvagni name is going to play a role? I can’t imagine people doing that,” he said.
“What, are you going to turn around and go, he is actually playing because his dad is the list manager? I mean please, judge him on his own merits.
“He has got real smart footy ability. I share a little bit of concern about his pace, but he has got a tank and a willingness to learn and a huge appetite for information.
“I think he is going to be fine.”
Listen to the best of this morning's SEN Breakfast with Garry and Tim below: