In a powerful display of resilience that has inspired thousands, the victim of former Carlton AFL player Tom Silvagni has broken her silence following his conviction for assault, firing back at vicious online trolls with a message of unyielding strength and survival. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, shared her story in an exclusive interview with The Age on December 15, 2025, just days after Silvagni, 25, was found guilty in Melbourne Magistrates Court of unlawful assault and reckless conduct causing injury stemming from a 2024 domestic incident. “From pain to power,” she declared, her voice steady despite the trauma. “I won’t let trolls or his fame silence me—this is my truth, and I’m taking my power back.”

Silvagni, son of Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni and a 2023 draftee who played 12 games for the Blues before delisting in 2025, was convicted after an altercation at a Melbourne party in June 2024 that left his then-partner with bruising and a fractured wrist. The court heard Silvagni “lost control” in a jealousy-fueled rage, grabbing her arm and shoving her against a wall. He pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense, but Magistrate Jane O’Sullivan rejected it, fining him $5,000 and ordering a good behaviour bond. No conviction recorded, but the verdict marked a fall from grace for the “Silvagni dynasty” heir.

The victim’s statement came amid a torrent of online abuse—trolls on X and Instagram accusing her of “gold-digging” and “ruining his career.” “They call me liar, slut, attention-seeker,” she said. “But I survived him—and I’ll survive them.” Her message: “To every woman facing this—your voice matters. Pain doesn’t define you; power does.” The post, shared anonymously via a support group, went viral with 1 million views, #FromPainToPower trending.

Silvagni’s camp expressed “remorse,” with lawyer statement: “Tom accepts the verdict and is committed to growth.” Carlton FC cut ties post-delisting, citing “standards.” Family, including Stephen and Jo Silvagni, remained silent.

The case highlights domestic violence in sports: 1 in 3 Australian women experience it, per ABS data. Victim advocates like Rosie Batty praised her courage: “She’s turning pain into power for others.”

As 2025 closes, her words echo: from victim to victor, a survivor’s anthem.