Stephen Silvagni Biography

Stephen Silvagni joins St Kilda as list manager.

Ex-Carlton list boss Stephen Silvagni is critical of Blues chief executive Cain Liddle over the approach to his exit from the club in 2019.

Silvagni was sacked from his post after five years in December due to what the Blues described as a "complexity" and "conflict" with having two sons, Jack and Ben, on the playing list. It was a stance that Silvagni felt put unneeded pressure on his boys.

"The way that press release was written up, I think, put two players under the bus, and put more pressure on them than they should have to handle throughout a season," Silvagni said.

"Ultimately if he (Liddle) actually used the words he used to me when he decided not to go on with me, I would have been fine with that. But when you use words that weren't in that, and I asked him, 'If that's the reason why you don't want to renew my contract, that's fine, but make sure you use those words you've used'. But he didn't have the courage or conviction."

Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni officially departs the Blues after the club acknowledged his "conflict" of interest given he has two sons on the playing list.

"The difficult decision to not enter into a new contract with Silvagni as GM list management and strategy centred around the increasing complexity of having two sons on the playing list," a club statement said.

"The situation is not only a conflict for the club’s GM list management and strategy, but equally for those who work in and around him in the football department.

"Having the most senior list management staff member unable to participate in an increasing number of discussions and decisions relating to both list management and match committee is a situation that is not in the best interests of the Carlton Football Club."

Draft prospect Ben Silvagni is hopeful of joining Carlton to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Sergio and his father Stephen Silvagni.

"There's always been a little bit of pressure on me to be good at footy," Ben said.

"Towards the age of 17 and 18, I've just tried to prove myself and tell myself that it's not just my name that's got me to where I am. I've worked my butt off to get to where I am.

"I've just tried to block it out. I am my own person and I've not let it affect me."

Carlton's illustrious group of 300-game players met at Princes Park on Wednesday, with the collection of Blues legends celebrating the newest addition to their exclusive club.

Kade Simpson will become just the fifth Carlton player to reach 300 games when the Blues take on Port Adelaide this weekend, joining a distinguished group to achieve such a feat.

Only Craig Bradley, Bruce Doull, John Nicholls and Stephen Silvagni have donned the navy blue jumper on 300 occasions.

"I'm a little bit embarrassed joining the names I am joining," Simpson said.

"It probably won't totally sink in, but I'm just trying to embrace the week ahead."

Caleb Marchbank says having full-back of the century Stephen Silvagni as a big fan has done wonders for his confidence.

Silvagni has long been an admirer of Marchbank, recruiting the key defender to Greater Western Sydney when he was the club’s list manager back in 2014.

Now holding the same position at Carlton, Silvagni played a major role in luring Marchbank to Ikon Park after the Benalla product played just seven games across two injury-interrupted seasons with the Giants.

“SOS watches us during training and he’s always there if you want to ask him a question about body position or anything like that,” Marchbank said.

'He’s someone I’ve learnt from during the pre-season. It’s good to have him on your side, he gives you plenty of confidence.”

Jack Silvagni will carry on the legacy of his grandfather Sergio and father Stephen by taking over the famous No.1 jumper at Carlton.

Stephen Silvagni, now Carlton list manager, played 312 games in the jumper, while his father Sergio (227 games) began the legacy in 1959 when he changed from No.20 (12 games) to No.1.

The youngest Silvagni wore No.2 in his debut season this year, but didn't request a jumper change. The idea was floated by the former holder of No.1 Andrew Walker, who retired this year after 202 games.

"'Walks' (Walker) initially approached the club about his No.1 going to me and the club asked Dad," Silvagni told News Corp.

"Then Dad and Nonno (Sergio) presented me with the jumper on the Grand Canal with Mum and Nonna (grandmother Rita) watching on. It was very special but wasn't something I sought.

"I was lucky this year to wear No.2 guernsey, which has a great history such as John Nicholls being the club's greatest ever player and Greg Williams.

"So it was a very tough decision and I made sure I spoke with John Nicholls, who understood my decision. I guess in the end it was an offer I couldn't refuse."

Delisted Adelaide midfielder Matthew Wright has earned a second AFL chance after Carlton signed the 25-year-old as a free agent.

"Matthew is an inside midfielder-forward with clean hands who's a good set shot and quick around the packs," Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni said.

"Importantly, he's also a quality person who will bring experience and leadership to our team."

Carlton selects Jack Silvagni with pick No.53 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

Jack is the son of Carlton great, and current Blues list manager, Stephen Silvagni.

"For him it's great, as a dad it's great, he gets the chance to live a dream, but it's hard work from here," Silvagni said.

"He's another one who's come into the junior system late and doesn't turn 18 until December, so he's still got a lot of development in him.

"We hope that in him we've found another forward and possibly another backman as well."

Essendon raise eyebrows by using pick No.53 to nominate Jack Silvagni, son of Carlton great Stephen Silvagni, in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

Carlton then subsequently and swiftly matched Essendon's bid for Silvagni to become a Blue.

"I thought it was quite funny," Stephen said.

"They'd actually interviewed Jack quite a few times - they rated him quite highly.

"He was a chance to maybe get called at 24-25 but, once that got through, I knew something was coming."

New Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni says he will not be involved in the club's decision on whether or not to draft his son, Jack Silvagni, under the father-son rule in 2015.

"I'm removed from that decision process. I want to make that clear," he said.

"I'll step away from that and ultimately that will be left up the rest of the recruiting department and Andrew McKay."

Greater Western Sydney list manager Stephen Silvagni will quit the club after next week's NAB AFL Draft.

"Stephen has helped build a very talented playing list to give this club every chance of success over the coming years," the Giants' general manager of football Graeme Allan said.

"This month's draft will be his fourth and he has decided this is now a good time to move on. We thank him for the important contribution he has made to help establish the Giants and wish him and his family all the very best."

Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni is appointed Greater Western Sydney's list manager.

"I'll be helping GWS establish a team for the next 10 to 15 years. It's an exciting risk for me personally," he said.

"The concessions that the AFL has given the club provide us with every chance to succeed, but you can't take that for granted.

"Whatever we do as a club we have to get it right, we have to ensure we make the most of those concessions and selection opportunities. The other 17 clubs are certainly going to work harder than ever."

St Kilda senior assistant coach Stephen Silvagni says he will leave his role at the Saints to pursue other opportunities at the end of the season.

"I just think it's time," Silvagni said.

"I've really enjoyed my time here. St Kilda and Ross gave me the opportunity to be a full-time assistant; they've been fantastic."