Luke Hodge slams Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni for ‘staying in his automotive’ as a substitute of celebrating son Jack’s a hundredth game milestone
Luke Hodge has criticised Carlton great Stephen Silvagni for reportedly rejecting the Blues’ invitation to attend his son’s a hundredth AFL against Richmond on Thursday.
Jack Silvagni marked the milestone because the Blues opened their 2023 campaign with a dramatic 58-58 draw against Richmond on the MCG.
The forward’s family attended the post-match presentation, but his father, a veteran of 312 games for Carlton, was conspicuously absent from the ceremony.
Speaking after the sport, Silvagni revealed his father had opted to ‘remain within the automotive’ as a substitute.
Speaking on Seven on Saturday, Hodge was critical of the 55-year-old’s behaviour, suggesting Silvagni must have put his personal pride aside to rejoice his son’s milestone.
Luke Hodge has criticised Jack Silvagni for reportedly rejecting an invite from Carlton to attend his son’s a hundredth AFL game on Thursday night on the MCG
Silvagni spent 17 seasons at Carlton as a player and five as an inventory manager, but left the club in acrimonious circumstances in late 2019
‘If I used to be in his position I might have gone all the way down to have the photo,’ the four-time premiership winner said.
‘Jack played and there was a family photo and he was sitting within the automotive for the photo. I personally would have had a photograph with my son playing his a hundredth game.’
Silvagni spent his entire 17-season profession within the VFL/AFL with Carlton, winning the premiership in 1987 and 1995.
He returned to the Blues in 2014 as manager but was sacked in 2019, before claiming the club had feared he would ‘sabotage’ the trading period had they not parted ways with him.
The Blues released an announcement on the time claiming Silvagni’s position as list manager was a conflict of interest given his sons Jack and Ben were on their books.
Silvagni received strong support from then-Blues president Mark LoGiudice, but fell out with former CEO Cain Liddle. Each LoGiudice and Liddle have since left Princes Park.
The AFL Hall of Famer, meanwhile, is currently the list manager for the Saints.
Silvagni (middle) celebrated his milestone together with his family after a 58-58 draw with Richmond
The 25-year-old has been a mainstay of Carlton’s team since joining in 2016
Blues skipper Patrick Cripps said Silvagni’s current role with the Saints wouldn’t have been a difficulty with the playing group, insisting the 55-year-old’s legacy at Carlton had not been tarnished by his departure.
‘That’s not my area to comment on but I’m someone that might welcome anyone into the footy club in that moment,’ he said on Friday.
‘That’s not my path to go down, I’ve got a high level of respect for SOS [Silvagni].
‘He did an ideal job for our footy club, individuals are going to have an opinion on that but so long as the family is completely satisfied it doesn’t really matter, does it.’
