Jack Silvagni's name was left off the Carlton team sheet for their clash with Adelaide this weekend in a move that caught they eye of many, but coach Michael Voss has clarified his decision.
On Friday Voss confirmed that Silvagni had been left out of the side and hasn't been managed as some had suspected.
The third-generation Carlton forward has played an unselfish role over the past three months as the backup ruckman to Tom De Koning following Marc Pittonet's knee injury in Round 6.
Voss said that while he appreciated Silvagni's efforts in the absence of Pittonet, the balance of the team always comes first and some players will miss out.
"The squeeze is on a little bit when it comes to team selection," Voss said
"We've talked about the personnel that has been missing and now we have some personnel that is returning. It puts us in a somewhat healthy position and it's up to us to work out the dynamics of the group and the roles we want them to play.
"It gives us an opportunity as coaches to give us a look at something a little bit different. SOS has been really good for us in terms of the role that he's played but it's pretty clear for us this week that we've decided to play the two rucks and clearly that means one of them is going to have to spend a little bit more time forward."
When asked what the omitted forward can work on, Voss said there wasn't anything Silvagni needed to focus on in particular.
"Nothing's been taking off the table in terms of how we structure up," said Voss.
"We still feel like we're finding what going to look best for us coming in to the back end of the season."
Voss went on to say that, currently, Silvagni's role in the team was as a backup ruck and with De Koning and Pittonet selected he was unfortunately squeezed out.
"Well it is currently. That's the role that he's played quite extensively throughout the season," Voss said.
"This is a good problem to have. We take a squad mentality in to the season and the push is on for spots."
Silvagni was said to have taken the news well but Voss said he wasn't happy to lose his spot in the side.
"(He took the news) with obvious disappointment," Voss said.
"(He) appreciates we're sort of in a healthy position."
Gerard Healy was one of many surprised by the dropping of the fan favourite but acknowledged it was all part of the ruthless nature of being part of a good team.
“I feel for Jack," Healy said on 3AW’s Sportsday.
"He’s had a heck of a year and he’s done a great job when Carlton needed him. But it’s a brutal sport and they’re going to play the three talls and he’s that hybrid.
“That would be the thinking that they want the three smalls to keep the ball inside their forward 50, not that Jack doesn’t do that.”
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt was another who was stunned by the news, stating it might be the kick up the backside Silvagni needs to set himself up for a massive September campaign.
“It’s perfect for Michael Voss to be able to sharpen the focus of the group,” he said on AFL360 Extra.
“When a heart and soul player like Silvagni, who tries every week, gets dropped, it reverberates through the group. You almost get an organic lift and accountability within the group from having to drop a player just from a selection point of view.”
Silvagni has averaged 15 disposals per game along with 15 goals and 24 clearances. His brave performances when undersized in the ruck has drawn the admiration of Carlton fans and the respect of many outside of Carlton.
However, with the return of Pittonet, the 24-year-old has found himself out of the team just over a month out from a likely finals campaign.
