Colin Sylvia

2003 – Sylvia is regarded as one of the best young players in the talent pool. He wins All-Australian honours at the NAB AFL under 18 championships, claims the TAC Cup Coaches’ Award and wins the Bendigo Pioneers’ best and fairest. He is then drafted from Merbein/Bendigo Pioneers at No.3 in the NAB AFL Draft and is likened in his style of play to Adelaide great Mark Ricciuto.

2004 – Troubled by a groin injury early in his first season, he also battled an ankle problem. Sylvia plays three matches, making his AFL debut against the Kangaroos in round nine. He gains one disposal. Sylvia plays the final two matches of the season. He plays in Sandringham’s – then Melbourne’s VFL affiliate – premiership.

2005 – Plays 16 of the first 17 matches in his second season, but misses the last five with a dislocated shoulder. He gains a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for his 20-disposal performance against Carlton in round nine.

2006 – Makes 17 of 25 appearances for the season, but misses five matches with broken ribs and two weeks with a calf injury. He plays his first two finals against St Kilda and Fremantle – also Melbourne’s most recent.

2007 – Misses six matches throughout the season due to thigh, hamstring, groin and hip problems. He plays 16 matches.

2008 – Sylvia plays 18 matches, averaging 17.8 disposals – his best return yet. He finishes with 320 disposals – 100 more than any other season. He also boots 16 goals.

2009 – Aside from a three-match suspension, Sylvia has his best season to this point. He produces three outstanding matches against Hawthorn (34 disposals, four goals), Collingwood (32 touches, three majors) and Carlton (34 possessions). His effort against the Hawks remains a career-best performance.  

2010 – Sidelined for the opening three rounds with a broken jaw, Sylvia returns in round four against Richmond and boots five goals. He also misses two games with a toe injury and one through a virus later in the season. Sylvia polls 10 Brownlow Medal votes for the season, including three in Melbourne’s 72-point win over the Sydney Swans at the MCG – Dean Bailey’s best win as coach. He also comes fifth in Melbourne’s best and fairest, despite missing five matches.

2011 – Kicks 25 goals, wins a career-high 380 disposals, claims another personal-best 10 Brownlow Medal votes and finishes 10^th in the club best and fairest. He also leads Melbourne’s goal assists. Named in the Australian International Rules squad at the end of the season, Sylvia does not play due to an off-field incident, which results in him being relinquished from the team. He is later suspended by Melbourne for the opening round of the 2012 season.  

2012 – Plays 17 matches, after suffering back and calf injuries early in the year, which impacts his start to the season. After an indifferent first half of the season, Sylvia finishes with a strong second part of the year.

2013 – Aside from missing three matches from rounds eight to 10 through suspension, Sylvia produces one of his most consistent seasons. He is regularly among Melbourne’s best in an otherwise dismal year. He is set to play his 150^th AFL match against Geelong at Simonds Stadium.