The fallout from the sentencing of Tom Silvagni for rape has ignited a fierce dispute between two prominent Australian football families. On December 17, 2025, Silvagni, aged 23, received a maximum sentence of six years and two months in the Victorian County Court after being found guilty of two counts of rape. His conviction stems from an incident that occurred on January 14, 2024, at the family home in Balwyn North, Melbourne, owned by his parents, AFL legend Stephen Silvagni and television personality Jo Silvagni.
The case has drawn significant media attention not only due to its nature but also because of the connections between the Silvagni family and former Carlton Blues president Mark LoGiudice. LoGiudice is the father of Anthony LoGiudice, who was present at the mansion during the incident. According to reports, Victoria Police interviewed Anthony LoGiudice at his home on two occasions as part of the investigation.
Tensions escalated during the trial as the prosecution accused Tom Silvagni of attempting to shift blame onto his friend, Anthony, whom he described as his “best friend” during the period in question. This accusation has reportedly deepened the rift between the two families, both of whom have historical ties through their sons attending the prestigious Xavier College in Melbourne and sharing holiday homes in Noosa, Queensland.
The rivalry between the Silvagni and LoGiudice families is not new. Sources indicate that there has been “bad blood” between them dating back to 2014 when Mark LoGiudice persuaded Stephen Silvagni to return to Carlton as the club’s list manager. Their relationship soured when Stephen Silvagni departed from the club in 2019, a decision influenced by a disagreement with then CEO Cain Liddle.
On the night of the assault, Anthony LoGiudice engaged in consensual sexual activity with the victim before leaving the mansion. Following his departure, Anthony called for an Uber at 01:57 and arrived home at 02:09. However, Tom Silvagni later admitted to altering the timestamps on the Uber receipt in an attempt to extend Anthony’s presence at the scene, changing the departure time to 02:37 and the arrival time to 02:57. The jury ultimately found Silvagni guilty, leading to his sentencing.
As the dust settles from this case, the repercussions for both families and their standing in the football community are likely to be profound. According to an insider, “this has changed lives forever,” indicating that the impact of this scandal will resonate far beyond the courtroom.
