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Jack Silvagni
Jack Silvagni 2018.2.jpg
Silvagni playing for Carlton in April 2018
Personal information
Full name Jack Silvagni
Nickname(s) JSOS
Date of birth (1997-12-17) 17 December 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Original team Oakleigh Chargers (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 53 (F/S), 2015 national draft
Position(s) Forward
Career highlights
  • AFL Rising Star nominee: 2017

Jack Silvagni, born on December 17, 1997, is a talented Australian rules football player. He currently plays for the Carlton team in the Australian Football League (AFL). The AFL is Australia's biggest professional football league.

Jack comes from a famous football family! Both his dad, Stephen, and his grandpa, Sergio, were legendary players for Carlton. They are even in the club's Hall of Fame. Jack also has a brother, Ben, who used to play for Carlton. His mother is Australian TV presenter and model Jo Silvagni.

Jack's Early Life and Junior Football

Jack grew up in Balwyn North, a suburb in Melbourne. He went to Xavier College. Jack started playing junior football for his school team. He also played for local clubs like the Greythorn Falcons and the Doncaster Cats.

Later, he joined the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup. This was a special league for young, talented players. Jack also represented Victoria Metro in the AFL Under 18 Championships. These experiences helped him prepare for a professional career.

Jack's AFL Career Journey

Joining the Carlton Blues

Jack was picked by Carlton in the 2015 AFL draft. He was the 53rd player chosen overall. Carlton was able to draft him under the "father-son rule." This rule lets a team pick a player whose father played for that same club.

When he first joined, Jack wore the No. 2 jersey. After a player named Andrew Walker retired, Jack switched to the No. 1 jersey. This was a special moment because his dad Stephen and grandpa Sergio both famously wore the No. 1 for Carlton.

Rising Star and Key Moments

In the 2017 AFL season, Jack was nominated for the 2017 AFL Rising Star award. This award celebrates the best young players in the league. He earned this nomination in Round 13 for his amazing game against the Gold Coast Suns. He kicked two important goals in the last quarter, helping Carlton win!

In the 2018 AFL season, Jack spent more time playing in the midfield. This meant he was getting more handballs and making more tackles. Some people wondered if he was playing as well as expected. However, his coach and many fans still believed in him.

Playing as a Forward and Utility Player

For the 2019 AFL season, Jack moved back to playing as a forward. He also became a "utility player." This means he could play in different positions on the field. He wasn't just a target for goals. He could also help move the ball further up the field.

In 2019, Jack had his best year for getting the ball. He averaged almost 14 disposals (times he got the ball) per game.

Overcoming Injuries

The 2020 AFL season was tough for Jack because of injuries. In a game against Essendon Football Club, he got a bruised lung and a fractured rib. Another player, Zach Merrett, was banned for one game because of the incident.

To make things harder, Jack had surgery in August for a leg issue called ITB syndrome. Because of these injuries, he only played in three games during the entire 2020 season.

Returning to the Field and New Roles

Jack came back strong in Carlton's 2021 season. He played regularly again as a forward. He also helped out as a "ruckman" when needed. A ruckman is usually a very tall player who tries to tap the ball down to his teammates at the start of play.

Even though Jack was often smaller than other ruckmen, he was good at stopping them from tapping the ball easily. He was also great at winning the ball when it hit the ground.

In the 2022 season, Jack played a career-high 21 games. He also set a new personal record for disposals, averaging over 14 per game.

Unfortunately, Jack had a serious training injury on January 25, 2024. He tore his ACL, which is a major knee ligament. This means he will miss the entire 2024 AFL season.

Jack's Life Outside Football

When he's not playing football, Jack is also busy with his studies. He is currently studying at Deakin University. He is working towards two degrees: a Bachelor of Property and Real Estate and a Bachelor of Commerce.

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