Ben Silvagni Biography

Carlton has delists Ben Silvagni, Darcy Lang, Hugh Goddard and Finbar O'Dwyer.

"Darcy, Hugh, Ben and Finbar worked hard on the field and were valued members of the playing group off it during their time at the club," Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd said in a statement.

"We thank each of them for their dedication to Carlton and wish them nothing but the best for the future."

The Blues dismiss suggestions of double standards in not sanctioning star forward Charlie Curnow for drinking at the wedding of teammate Sam Docherty last weekend, despite being sidelined for the start of the 2020 season due to a knee injury.

The decision came after brothers Jack Silvagni and Ben Silvagni were sent to train with its VFL affiliate the Northern Blues for a select number of sessions in November after drinking while in the rehabilitation group.

Carlton coach David Teague said there were differences in the separate pair of incidents. Predominantly, they were that Curnow is dealing with a long-term injury, while the Silvagni brothers both had acute fitness issues.

"The players are clear, if you have an acute injury then you don't drink. If you have got a longer-term injury, then you need to be smart with it," Teague said.

"When a mate is getting married, if there is going to be a time when you can have a drink, it is when your mate is getting married.

"We had a couple of guys go to that wedding and they didn't drink because they had acute injuries. But the ones who could have a drink, I have no issues with that."

Brothers Jack Silvagni and Ben Silvagni are sent to the club's VFL team, where they had to help out the coaches in training sessions, for breaches of team rules on alcohol for drinking at a music concert on the weekend of November 23-24.

Jack Silvagni, the 21-year-old elder brother, had to attend four sessions at the Northern Blues, while Ben, a first-year player last season, had to attend only two.

The leadership group, headed by Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty, took the view that Jack would have a heavier penalty because he had been drinking while injured once before and this was Ben's first offence.

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."

Carlton secures Ben Silvagni via a father-son selection with pick No.70 in the 2018 AFL Draft.

"Ben's got key position size and we think his ability to play either end of the ground is a real standout quality," Carlton list manager Mick Agresta said.

"He's got great hands and mobility for his size, and that versatility is a big asset. We know he’ll give his all for the jumper and hope he’ll be a great player for the 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."

For Ben Silvagni, being drafted to Carlton will mean being able to play with his brother, and best friend, Jack Silvagni.

"Since he got drafted, I've just known that I want to play with him. Even before that, I've done everything I can to give myself that opportunity to play with him," Ben said of his brother.

"We get along so well, it would be awesome to work with him and play footy with him every day."