Australian Football

The son of former Blues champion Sergio Silvagni, Stephen Silvagni grew up immersed in the Carlton culture, and it was scarcely a surprise when he followed in his father's footsteps and made his Carlton debut, aged 17, in 1985. Popularly known as 'SOS' (son of Serge), Silvagni was a highly energetic, resourceful footballer who was regarded as one of the finest full backs of his day. He could also do a job in the forward lines, however, and some of his most memorable displays came after he was thrown into attack in an effort to bolster the team's performance.

A dual club best and fairest winner, Silvagni was hampered by injury for much of his career which makes the consistent brilliance he displayed all the more remarkable. Clear evidence of that consistent brilliance was afforded by his selection in no fewer than five AFL All Australian teams. A key member of the Blues' 1995 premiership- winning team, he played a total of 312 V/AFL games, and kicked 202 goals, between 1985 and 2001.

In 1996 the AFL selected Silvagni as full back in its official 'Team of the Century', a decision which aroused considerable controversy at the time, but which nevertheless served to highlight how highly the player was thought of in certain quarters.

Author - John Devaney