Jack Silvagni returns for Carlton after 600 days out

Carlton fans will have plenty to cheer about on Thursday night, with Jack Silvagni set to make an emotional return to the MCG after a gruelling injury battle that kept him out of AFL action for 600 days.

The fan favourite, who was last selected in the team in July 2023, has been given the green light by coach Michael Voss and will take his place in the Blues’ lineup for their blockbuster season opener against Richmond.

Silvagni, the son of Carlton great Stephen Silvagni, suffered a serious ACL injury on the eve of the 2024 season, derailing his campaign before it had even begun.

His long road back to fitness has been closely monitored by the club, with the 26-year-old working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure he could pull on the navy blue guernsey once again.

His return will be even more intriguing given his new role in Carlton’s defensive set-up.

While Silvagni has primarily played as a forward or utility in his AFL career, Voss confirmed the popular Blue has been reshaped as a defender—following in the footsteps of his father, one of the club’s greatest-ever fullbacks.

“Our ability to advance as a football team is how we can defend better, and we’ve gone after that pretty hard,” Voss said.

“It’s meant we’ve had to shift a couple of the magnets. ‘SOS’ [Silvagni] has been one over the last month that has probably been the final piece in terms of being there, coming off the ACL.”

Silvagni’s return adds an extra layer of emotion to the highly anticipated clash against Richmond, a match that has become an annual curtain-raiser for the AFL season.

After a heartbreaking semi-final exit last year, the Blues are eager to take another step forward in their premiership pursuit, and a strong defensive structure will be key to their success.

Carlton are paying $10 with top online bookmakers to secure the 2025 AFL Premiership.

For Silvagni, the journey back has been long and arduous, but on Thursday night, under the bright lights of the MCG, he’ll finally get the chance to once again do what he loves—play for Carlton.

And for the thousands of Blues fans watching on, seeing the famous Silvagni name back on the field will be a moment worth celebrating.

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