Collingwood are set to nab Carlton favourite son Jack Silvagni for the 2026 season, after offering a sizeable contract offer.
Silvagni becomes an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and has rejuvenated his career as a key defender, after missing the entire 2024 season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The 27-year old is unlikely to feature for the rest of 2025 due to a groin injury, and according to The Age, may never pull on navy blue again.
The report states the Magpies have offered a four-year deal on a little over $600,000 per season – nearly identical to the four-year contract tabled by the Blues.
However, the famous name, whose father Stephen and grandfather Sergio featured in two premierships apiece and played a combined 551 games for the club, has reportedly seen his relationship with the Blues sour amid a frustrating 2025 season which will end with the team missing finals.
Silvagni is a close friend of Magpies recruit Dan Houston, who had interest in joining the Blues last year but ultimately became a Pie.
He is one of a number of players seen as a chance to depart the Blues in the upcoming trade period, with ruckman Tom De Koning heavily linked to St Kilda on a monster contract offer, while Charlie Curnow and Sam Walsh have also been linked to moves elsewhere.
Jack Silvagni. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Goodwin’s future clouded after Dees board meeting
Melbourne president Brad Green has written a letter to Demons members in the wake of their stunning loss to St Kilda, which has piled pressure on embattled coach Simon Goodwin’s future at the club.
The Demons led by 46 points at three-quarter time, only to concede nine goals in the final term, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera kicking two goals in the final minute to first tie the scores, then win the game for the Saints after the siren.
The loss could not have been more poorly timed for Goodwin, with the Demons having already scheduled a board meeting for Monday night, in which the 2021 premiership coach presented.
In the letter, Green acknowledged the ‘incredibly frustrating’ season the Dees have endured, with the team’s inconsistency also mentioned.
“We are a proud and ambitious football club and with that comes a responsibility to perform,” Green wrote.
“We are not in the position we want to be right now, however your Board and I are committed to doing everything required to have our AFL program performing at the level we all expect.”
Criticism has mounted on Goodwin’s performance as coach, with the Dees set to miss finals for the second consecutive season after reaching the top four only to bow out in straight sets in both 2022 and 2023.
Speaking on Seven’s The Agenda Setters, Kane Cornes advocated parting ways with the 48-year old, who has coached the Demons since 2017 and led the team to a drought-breaking flag in 2021, their first since 1957.
“I thought at the start of the year, he had a certain period to change and fix the flaws in their game plan, which he’s been unable to do,” he said.
“I think the club needs a fresh start – a fresh start with some playing personnel and a fresh start with a new coach.
“That’s taking nothing away from what Simon Goodwin’s done, and he should coach at the level again at a different club.
“This club needs a cleanout and a reset, with everything that has gone on.”
Simon Goodwin. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Monster contract call looms for Eagles on Reid as season ended by injury
West Coast star Harley Reid’s season is over due to an ankle injury, while hamstrung Adelaide defender Max Michalanney is unlikely to return before the finals.
Reid will be joined on the sidelines by fellow young gun Bo Allan after the pair both suffered similar low-grade syndesmosis injuries.
Former No.1 draft pick Reid had to be helped off the field after damaging his right ankle in a tackle in the Eagles’ 49-point loss to Fremantle on Saturday.
Allan suffered his season-ending injury after his foot was also caught in a tackle at training last Thursday.
The Eagles will at least hope key defender Harry Edwards will be able to return for their match against a wounded Melbourne outfit after being ruled out late against the Dockers with hamstring soreness.
The injury comes amid heavy speculation on Reid’s future at the Eagles, with heavy interest from Victorian suitors to lure the 2023 No.1 draft pick back across the Nullarbor, particularly Hawthorn and Essendon.
Reid and his management have, according to News Corp, tabled a potential contract to the Eagles that reaches as much as $24 million over 11 years, which would be comfortably the longest contract in AFL history.
The deal features an initial two-year contract through to the end of 2027, with a nine-year extension that can be triggered at any time – similar to the deal signed by Gold Coast’s Mac Andrew earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Michalanney – a crucial part of Adelaide’s backline – was substituted out during the third quarter of Saturday night’s thumping win over Port Adelaide and will miss four to six weeks.
It means the Crows will continue their push for a top-two berth without the versatile defender, who will need to prove his fitness for the finals.
“It’s unfortunate for Max given the season he’s been having,” Crows high performance boss Darren Burgess said.
“Thankfully for us, we know he’s an extremely diligent worker and will do everything possible to return stronger.”
Michalanney, 21, had played 64 of a possible 65 games since his debut in 2023.
Adelaide will miss Michalanney against Hawthorn’s dynamic forward line on Friday night, while he will also be sidelined for games against West Coast, Collingwood and North Melbourne.
The Crows (56 points), sit second behind Collingwood (60) and just ahead of Brisbane (54).
Geelong, Hawthorn, GWS and Fremantle (all 52 points) are all jostling for top-four berths.
(with AAP)
