Sergio Silvagni

Sergio Valentino Silvagni (28 June 1938 – 15 July 2021) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL), mostly as a ruck-rover. He was the first of three generations to represent Carlton at VFL/AFL level, followed by his son Stephen and grandson Jack.

Early life and family The son of Italian immigrants Giacomo Silvagni and his wife Antonia, Sergio lived with his parents and sister Milena in a single fronted dwelling in Canning Street, Carlton, very close to the famous Lygon Street precinct, the epicenter of Melbourne's Italian community. Giacomo (also known as "Jack") emigrated to Australia in 1924 from the town of Asiago in the northern Italian province of Vicenza. He was also a first cousin of fellow Carlton footballer John Benetti.

Shortly after Sergio was born, World War II broke out and Italians were considered enemies in Australia. According to the law at the time, Giacomo Silvagni was considered an enemy alien since he had not taken up Australian citizenship, and was sent away to an alien camp in Broadford for several months, living in a tent and cutting timber. Silvagni remembered his father's departure vividly, even though he was only four years old at the time.

Schoolboy athletics Silvagni was educated at St Thomas' Christian Brothers College in Clifton Hill and later at Parade College, In 1949, he was the Under-12 handball champion of C.B.C. Clifton Hill. In 1953, running on a rain soaked track, he broke the 440 yard record by half second, clocking 54.4 seconds; he also won the shot put at the combined Christian Brothers Secondary School sports at North Melbourne.

Career in football

Playing career

Carlton Silvagni made his senior VFL debut for on 24 May 1958 in the Round 7 match against ) at the Lake Oval.

In his playing career, Silvagni played mainly as a ruck-rover, forming one of the game's most celebrated on-ball divisions with ruckman John Nicholls and rover Adrian Gallagher.

Death and tribute Silvagni died on 15 July 2021 in Melbourne at the age of 83 after multiple health issues, including a broken leg.

Upon news of his death, Carlton club president Mark LoGiudice released a statement in tribute:

Sergio was and always will be a legendary Carlton person. He was such an important figure to many Carlton supporters growing up during the 1960s, particularly those who had migrated to Australia and could instantly identify with one of their heroes. He would go on to become one of our greatest ever players and his impact on the club will forever hold a significant place in our history books. On and off the field he embodied what it means to be a Carlton person and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family.