Former Carlton recruitment manager Stephen Silvagni has urged the AFL not cut list sizes post the COVID-19 crisis.
There are talks that the AFL are weighing up reducing list sizes from somewhere in the mid 40s as it currently sits to 35 next year in the financial fallout from the pandemic.
Silvagni believes a move like this will make it near impossible for clubs to bring in development players like Richmond defender Sydney Stack or Collingwood forward Mason Cox.
โFrom a list thing, I know it is really difficult circumstances and I donโt know what situation the AFL is in from a personal view. I think the AFL and AFLPA should be doing everything possible to keep list sizes as they are at,โ he toldย Fox Footy.
โI certainly believe the best development is in a football club and thatโs from rookies to players that are underdeveloped.
โHaving been in footy for a long time, I just think players development โ not all players, but most players โ develop a lot better in the professional environment.
โYou see players like a Sydney Stack and a Mason Cox who were underdeveloped. To be in that full-time system, you are going to get a lot better growth with those sorts of players and I think thatโs the best way to be able to do that.โ
Silvagni left his role at the Blues in rather strange circumstances, with the club saying it was due to his sons Ben and Jack being on the clubs playing list.
However, many reports have surfaced claiming the relationship between the Carlton legend and CEO Cain Liddle became untenable due to Liddle's role in list strategy decisions.
Asked about his exit, SOS opted not to comment and simply said he was enjoying his time out of the game.
โ(Iโm) really good. Very comfortable. (I) probably got out at the right time. Obviously there are some things which couldโve been handled better,โ he said.
