SOS answers the call: Silvagni returns to the Saints
St Kilda have confirmed the appointment of Stephen Silvagni as their new list manager, rejoining his friend Ross Lyon at the Saints as the club continues to move back to the future.
Silvagni left Carlton at the end of 2019 after joining the Blues as list manager and was responsible for recruiting Jacob Weitering, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay to the club in 2015.
He had served alongside Graeme Allan at the Giants as list manager from 2011 as the club established itself in the AFL.
Carlton legend Steve Silvagni has been appointed list manager at the Saints.Credit:AFL Photos
Allan will officially take on the talent and acquisition role at the Saints alongside Silvagni, having worked in a similar role in recent seasons with former list manager James Gallagher departing in December. Hawthorn great Jarryd Roughead and national recruiting manager Chris Toce are also part of the Saints’ recruiting team.
Silvagni’s appointment – which was widely expected within the AFL – will complete the transition at the Saints that also saw Lyon replace Brett Ratten as senior coach, Dave Misson return as conditioning coach, and Lenny Hayes and Robert Harvey join as assistant coaches. They also appointed experienced football boss Geoff Walsh after president Andrew Bassat conducted a review of the club.
Stephen Silvagni in his first stint with St Kilda.Credit:Vince Caligiuri
Silvagni was an assistant coach at the club from 2007 to 2010 when they played in the 2009 and 2010 grand finals under Lyon.
Saints CEO Simon Lethlean said the club was rapt to have such an experienced figure in the role.
“Stephen will be focused on developing the club’s overall list strategy, while supporting Graeme and the wider recruitment team with talent identification and acquisition as the club seeks to bolster and develop its list,” Lethlean said.
Ross Lyon as back at St Kilda in his second stint as coach of the club.Credit:Getty Images
“Given the pair’s working history, I am certain they will be a great asset to the program, working closely with Chris Toce and Jarryd Roughead to continue to evolve the men’s list profile.
“St Kilda has seen significant change to its playing list over the past four years, and to ensure the program has every opportunity to succeed now and into the future, we need to continue to invest in our recruitment strategy with a focus on bringing in more elite talent, whether that be through trade or draft.”
The club just missed out on finals in the past two seasons, but sources suspect they will need at least two more years to get the list into shape to confidently contend for the club’s second premiership.
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