After it was revealed on Thursday the Blues would be without forward Jack Silvagni for the entirety of the 2024 season due to a ruptured ACL, devastation was justifiably the reactionary sentiment.ย
It's indubitably a cruel blow for the 26-year-old father-son gun, who earned a two-year contract extension late last year to remain at Princes Park in the medium term.ย
Albeit, after the initial despondency within Carlton Football Club headquarters, the next point of focus should regard the Blues forwards, who subsequently need to step up in place of Silvagni.ย
Irrespective of the fact that he sometimes fell out of coach Michael Voss' favour last season amongst a forward-line already containing juggernaut spearheads Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, at his best, Silvagni was a member of the Blues' optimal squad.ย
Thus, whether it's as an immediate starter in Voss' Opening Round squad, as a 12-to-14-game fringe option, or even as an infrequently-appearing depth piece, here are five Carlton forwards who could see increased opportunities in 2024 as a result of Silvagni sitting on the sidelines.ย
5. Ashton Moir
Listed at 188 centimetres and 85 kilograms, Moir is the closest mould to Silvagni of this quintet.ย
The South Australian draftee slipped in consensus rankings last year, falling to the Blues at the end of the first round, a slot much later than what might have previously been anticipated.ย
None of that matters now, though, with the athletic and speedy left-footer having displayed tendencies on tape that could convince the Blues' coaching cohort to trot him out as a third or fourth tall forward.ย
The former Glenelg forward has an opportunity to prove that he belongs at AFL level in his first season, with Silvagni's absence opening the door to that juncture.ย
