It is understood that Jack Silvagni has not yet been offered a contract to remain with Carlton beyond 2023.
Veteran AFL journalist Damian Barrett reported on Footy Classified on Wednesday night that Silvagni, who is out of contract this year, does not have a deal in front of him.
Barrett described it as an “unusual” situation given the standing of the Silvagni name at Ikon Park and the fact that Jack is a regular under Michael Voss.
He suggested the 25-year-old could potentially be on the way out this trade period as the Blues strive to keep the likes of Tom De Koning around.
“In terms of his future, it’s unlikely to be (as) a Blue,” Barrett said.
“We get to late July and there is not a deal in front of him that makes him want to stay. In fact, from what I’ve been told, there is no deal in front of him at all.
“It may just be manoeuvring as they try and get (Tom) De Koning to stay ahead of him and it may be in the queue behind that.
“It’s unusual for someone of that standing to be not having a deal in front of him at this stage.”
SEN Breakfast’s Garry Lyon and Tim Watson reacted to the Silvagni news.
They both believe the versatile 115-gamer is the type of player every club could use and cannot quite understand why the Blues aren’t eager to tie down the son of club legend Stephen.
“I know you’re a fan, we’ve both been fans of his for a long time, and some people think it’s because we’re mates with ‘SOS’,” said Lyon.
“No, we like the way he plays, we like the way he competes, we like the way that he puts team before individual every time he plays.
“There’ll be a role for Jack Silvagni in most teams, in my mind.”
Watson agreed, then questioned if the family connection is strong enough to warrant a new deal.
“I would have thought so. I think he’s a heart-and-soul type player,” he said.
“The question with him is because of the family connection, the Silvagni name and Carlton, does that add an extra layer of consideration when you’re thinking about Jack Silvagni?”
Lyon replied: “I think the Silvagni name invokes enormous passion in the Carlton supporter fraternity out there because Stephen is a revered 300-plus game, Team of the Century player, and it goes back to (Jack’s grandfather) Serge, and then there was the salary cap stuff and then some reported acrimony in the departure of SOS recently.
“I think it stirs up the emotions all the time, it adds to the discussion around Jack. I’m not sure where it’s going to land.
“If I’m at Carlton, I’m looking at Jack going, ‘I think we need those players who put team first’.”
Watson does not find the situation all that unusual given that almost all clubs would be busy working on the management of their list at this stage of the year.
“At some point though it gets down to a discussion about money and tenure and that probably will decide one way or the other,” he added.
“For Jack too, he has to accept that’s what he’s prepared to play for.
“It’s not unusual at this time of year for a number of players at every team hanging out there waiting for a contract to be done as the club sorts out some of the bigger names.”
Silvagni has played 16 games for the Blues this season, contributing in various roles, primarily as a third forward and as the second ruck.
He has kicked 14.12 and is averaging 13.6 disposals, four marks and 2.9 hit-outs in 2023, but injured his knee in last weekend’s win over West Coast and will be sidelined for the next few weeks.
The Blues take on old enemy Collingwood at the MCG this Friday night.