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Carlton captain Patrick Cripps says Jack Silvagni can force his way into the Blues\u2019 best 23 next season, but that may depend on Michael Voss\u2019 selection philosophy.<\/p>\n
Silvagni has signed a two-year contract extension to remain at Visy Park, his future a point of debate when ruckman-forward Tom de Koning emerged as an important figure last season, joining star tall forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, and frontline ruckman Marc Pittonet.<\/p>\n
The third-generation Blue has been used in a variety of positions through the years, most recently as an undersized back-up ruck, and again faces a major fight to earn regular senior selection.<\/p>\n
He had a knee injury late last season, which hindered his bid for selection as the Blues made a breakthrough deep finals run, falling just short of the grand final.<\/p>\n
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Selection squeeze: Patrick Cripps has backed Jack Silvagni to force his way into the Blues\u2019 best 23 next season.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n As the Blues confirmed a three-year sponsorship deal with Ampol on Monday, Cripps said Silvagni still had a lot to offer.<\/p>\n \u201cHis role is really important. He plays that hybrid forward. He can play tall, he can play small, his pressure. I think his biggest one wood is the competitive energy that he has,\u201d Cripps said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat second ruck role that he can play as well, as an under-sized player, a bit more mobility around the ground \u2013 it\u2019s all up to the coaching staff in terms of if we go two rucks, or we go the hybrid role. I just know what you are going to get when SOS plays. We all love playing with him.\u201d<\/p>\n Silvagni played 16 senior games last season, his last against West Coast in round 19, taking his career tally to 115 since debuting in 2016.<\/p>\n The Blues had a strong training session on Monday, Silvagni included, as they aim to deliver the club\u2019s first grand-final appearance since 1999. Cripps said the club\u2019s new faces had impressed in the first phase of the pre-season campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new boys, Ashton [Moir], Billy [Wilson], Matty [Carroll], they have all fitted in really well and had a crack. Ashton and Billy have done most of the sessions, that\u2019s all you can ask,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Voss spoke last week about the heightened expectations the Blues face this season. However, Cripps, 28, said there was one word he did not want uttered in a year when the Blues will be in the spotlight, having become a prime-time favourite of host broadcasters.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually hate the word expectations, because you are trying to predict something that hasn\u2019t happened yet,\u201d Cripps, having averaged almost 25 disposals in 24 games last year, said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we learnt a really hard lesson last year, and I felt like the group lost their confidence in the middle part. I think through that adversity we know what we can focus on to make us a good side \u2026 the controllables.<\/p>\n \u201cThe external, it doesn\u2019t actually really matter. What really matters is what we value internally. We talk about a lot of things without the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one thing we really focused on in that back half of the year was how can we bring a lot of joy and fun around the club. That\u2019s what I feel like last year, as hard as it was, we learnt a really good lesson about what is important to us. I think that\u2019s what gives me a lot of confidence going into this pre-season, and also the season \u2013 we know what makes us a good side.\u201d<\/p>\n The Blues open the new season against the Lions in Brisbane on March 8.<\/p>\n Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
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