Carlton’s Jack Silvagni to Join Dad Stephen at St Kilda in AFL Free-Agency Window
In a stunning family reunion that ends a storied legacy at Carlton, third-generation Blue Jack Silvagni has nominated St Kilda as his preferred destination during the upcoming AFL free-agency period. The 27-year-old defender, son of Saints list manager Stephen Silvagni, will depart after 10 seasons with the Blues, marking a bold move for both player and club as the October window approaches.
The Decision: Nominating St Kilda Amid Rival Interest
Jack Silvagni informed Carlton last week of his intent to test free agency, and on September 3, 2025, reports confirmed he has chosen St Kilda as his new home starting in 2026. As an unrestricted free agent, Silvagni can sign with the Saints without a trade once the period opens on October 3 and closes on October 10, 2025.
St Kilda football manager David Misson welcomed the news in a club statement: “We’re very pleased that Jack has nominated St Kilda as the club where he wishes to continue his career. As Jack is an unrestricted free agent, he will be entitled to accept our offer once formally submitted during the free agency window in October.” The Saints emphasized respecting the process and declined further comment until the official period.
Silvagni’s choice came after meetings with Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, who tabled four-year deals worth around $650,000 annually. St Kilda, however, reportedly offered a more lucrative five-year contract valued at $800,000 to $850,000 per season, potentially totaling $4 million. This deal could trigger Band 1 compensation for Carlton, possibly a first-round draft pick, though Silvagni’s age (27) may temper the value.
Background: A Legacy at Carlton and Silvagni Family Ties
Jack Silvagni, drafted as a father-son selection with pick 53 in 2015, debuted in 2016 and played 128 games for 89 goals across versatile roles as a forward, defender, and occasional ruckman. His career was hampered by injuries, including a full ACL rupture in 2024 that sidelined him for the season, but he shone as an intercept defender in 13 games during 2025, notably restricting Western Bulldogs star Aaron Naughton to six touches in Round 3.
As the third Silvagni to represent Carlton—following grandfather Sergio (239 games, two premierships) and father Stephen (312 games, two flags, AFL Team of the Century full-back)—Jack’s departure ends a family dynasty at the club. Stephen, sacked as Carlton’s list manager in 2019 due to conflicts involving his sons Jack and Ben, joined St Kilda in 2023. Misson confirmed Stephen recused himself from recruitment discussions, with coach Ross Lyon and player acquisition manager Graeme Allan leading the pursuit.
Silvagni expressed gratitude in a statement: “Whilst the decision was not easy to leave the football club, I felt the time was right to explore another opportunity. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone at the club for their support during my time there.” Carlton list manager Nick Austin added, “We made it really clear to Jack that we wanted him to remain a Carlton person… that is the reality of our industry in regard to player movement.”
St Kilda’s Aggressive Recruitment Drive
This signing aligns with St Kilda’s bold off-season strategy under Lyon, who guided the club to 12th in 2025 with nine wins. Silvagni joins ex-Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning, who signed an eight-year, $1.7-$1.8 million annual deal, as well as interests in West Coast’s Liam Ryan (via trade), GWS’s Leek Aleer, and Gold Coast’s Sam Flanders. Other recent Carlton departures to St Kilda include Liam Stocker and Paddy Dow during Stephen’s earlier tenure.
Expert Opinions and Fan Reactions
Analysts praise the move for St Kilda’s defensive depth. Garry Lyon on AFL 360 urged fans to “celebrate Jack Silvagni’s arrival and ignore contract noise,” adding, “Does Jack make you better? I think he does.” Jimmy Bartel highlighted the Saints’ salary cap flexibility from long-term deals, while Tom Morris noted background talks despite the family ties.
Fan reactions on X are mixed but lively. Carlton supporters lamented the end of the dynasty, with one posting, “Imagine being Collingwood and getting rejected for St Kilda,” while Saints fans celebrated the coup. Concerns over Silvagni’s injury history and contract length surfaced, with users noting, “Jack Silvagni’s age will work against him and St Kilda fulfilling his obligations to a 5yr contract.” Overall, the buzz underscores the emotional weight of the Silvagni name in AFL lore.
Impact on U.S. Readers: AFL’s Global Reach and Sports Parallels
For American sports fans, Jack Silvagni’s move mirrors high-profile free-agency dramas in the NFL or NBA, where family legacies and big contracts drive narratives—like a third-generation player leaving a storied franchise for a rival with familial ties. AFL’s growing U.S. presence, with exhibition games in Los Angeles and partnerships boosting viewership, makes this story accessible, highlighting themes of loyalty versus opportunity.
Economically, such transfers fuel AFL’s $1.5 billion industry, creating jobs in coaching, media, and merchandising that indirectly support U.S.-based international fans through streaming deals on platforms like ESPN. Politically, it reflects labor mobility in sports, akin to U.S. antitrust debates on player contracts. Lifestyle-wise, it inspires discussions on work-life balance for athletes, while technologically, AFL’s digital broadcasts enhance global engagement. In broader sports, parallels to MLB family dynasties (e.g., Griffeys) or NBA free-agency bidding wars add crossover appeal.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Silvagni and St Kilda’s Ambitions
Jack Silvagni’s nomination to join St Kilda reunites him with father Stephen, closing a chapter at Carlton while igniting excitement for the Saints’ 2026 push. With a five-year, multimillion-dollar deal on the table, this free-agency saga exemplifies AFL’s competitive off-season dynamics.
As the October window nears, expect official signing announcements and draft implications for Carlton. For U.S. audiences, it showcases AFL’s compelling storytelling, blending family drama with high-stakes sport—proving the league’s rising international allure.