But \u2014 as this year\u2019s trade period<\/a> has just told us with a rather large and nasty exclamation mark \u2014 AFL loyalty can become a flimsy, disposable word very quickly in the world of the league\u2019s clubs.<\/p>\n Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Loyalty is the pitch to get the fans to sign memberships year after year after year …<\/p>\n \u201cDo it for the jumper\u201d is the pitch for the players to be proud of their clubs and what they stand for ahead of the big game.<\/p>\n And players are also fed the line that there is something \u201cspecial\u201d about being a one-club player … a club great, a \u201cloyal\u201d servant.<\/p>\n Of course, loyalty implies so much more, too. Loyal people have solid values, good character, they are dependable, honest.<\/p>\n And with loyalty comes love and yes, you, the fan, love your club so much.<\/p>\n After all, the clubs tell us we are part of the family, and we embrace the history, the future, the heroes, the legends.<\/p>\n But what it is really all about? Does loyalty actually have any real relevance in this cut-throat environment?<\/p>\n This year we had three club captains Zach Merrett, Oscar Allen, Jy Simpkin saying enough with the loyalty BS …. \u2018I want out\u2019.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, another captain Jack Steele \u2014 who actually confessed his love to the club \u2014 was asked to leave against his will.<\/p>\n Steele played through the tough times at the Saints. Watched as coaches came and went. And now, like a loyal servant, wanted to play his role … and just maybe enjoy the good times.<\/p>\n But no … after nine loyal years, Steele was suddenly asked to go away as the club brought in new stars on big money.<\/p>\n So what are fans meant to think when skippers don\u2019t want to be loyal to their clubs?<\/p>\n Or indeed, when clubs don\u2019t want to be loyal to their skippers?<\/p>\n And if captains wanting to walk away from their beloved (or not so beloved) clubs doesn\u2019t expose the loyalty myth, what about club royalty?<\/p>\n Jack Silvagni\u2019s history with Carlton goes back generations.<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s grandfather, Sergio, is a former Carlton captain and dual premiership player. And his father, Stephen, is also a club legend, the club\u2019s greatest full-back of all time, a five-time All-Australian and a dual premiership hero for the Blues.<\/p>\n But, even with all that connection and all that history, navy blue blood coursing through his veins, Jack walked out on the Blues and will wear St Kilda colours next year.<\/p>\n The Silvagni family loyalty to Carlton, that goes way to the 1960s, is now completely severed … the cord brutally cut.<\/p>\n As for Melbourne, the holy trinity behind that drought-breaking premiership just a handful of years ago was Max Gawn, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.<\/p>\n And didn\u2019t Melbourne love them …<\/p>\n In 2021 Petracca signed a huge seven-year contract extension, the same year he became Melbourne\u2019s first Norm Smith medallist.<\/p>\n \u201cTrac to stay a Demon for life,\u201d was Melbourne\u2019s headline when announcing that news with eternal love, loads of cash and loyalty everywhere.<\/p>\n And in 2022 (a year after the flag) Oliver, a four-time best-and-fairest winner, a three-time All-Australian, also signed a massive seven-year contract extension, again sealed with a kiss.<\/p>\n The family would be united, loyal, for a long, long time.<\/p>\n But then Oliver suddenly had some behavioural issues, some ugly headlines followed, and love and loyalty changed.<\/p>\n Despite that contract, he was asked to look elsewhere this year. Oliver was now a big-money problem for them … the love was gone.<\/p>\n As for Petracca his loyalty and love ran out when the club mishandled his horrible injuries in the King\u2019s Birthday clash last year.<\/p>\n Or what about Sydney\u2019s Will Hayward?<\/p>\n He was a free agent last year but pledged his loyalty to the Swans and signed a five-year contract, all in good faith.<\/p>\n But just 12 months later, the club taps him on the shoulder and says, Mate, we\u2019d really like it if you could go away … we\u2019ve found someone else.<\/p>\n The reality is, rightly or wrongly, \u2018loyalty\u2019 is just a term used when it\u2019s convenient.<\/p>\n In fact, Oliver summed it up perfectly when he was stopped by Channel 7 cameras while taking a tour of the Giants\u2019 facilities.<\/p>\n Asked if he was frustrated about being asked to leave Melbourne, Oliver found the perfect word for it all …. and it wasn\u2019t loyalty.<\/p>\n \u201cFrustrating? Nah, it\u2019s business, mate, isn\u2019t it?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Well done, Clayton, nailed it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ross Lyon shuts down press conference after objecting to one word<\/p>\n 2 min read<\/p>\n![\"Download](\"https:\/\/7news.com.au\/static\/media\/right-red-arrow.92bca5db.svg\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/8312bdaecdb1563f491a37d2d93e420e141d08da.jpg\")
Former Carlton stars Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni are now happy Saints. Credit: @saints.com.au<\/p>\n