THE BEST season of Colin Sylvia's career came after the highly-touted Demon came to terms with the expectations of being an elite level footballer.

The 23-year-old was recruited at No.3 in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft, but despite his obvious ability, Sylvia had often tantalised the Melbourne faithful.

A string of injuries and some off-field incidents only hindered his AFL journey.

But the midfielder turned things around in 2009 and credits a new found self-belief for the form that saw him tie for fifth place in the Demons' best and fairest count.

"I didn't think I could live up to the AFL expectations and standards," Sylvia said of his early years at the club.

"It's taken six years and hopefully I've still got a lot of footy ahead of me now. I'm genuinely excited as a whole for the football club, but individually as well - I've got a very strong belief that my best footy is in front of me."

While Sylvia worked to overcome those issues, his body was also failing him with recurring groin problems the source of much angst.

"I don't like to use injuries as excuses and although I had a shoulder operation, it has been my groins [that were the problem]," he said.

"I thought I'd be getting somewhere and then I'd get back to square one again. I didn't know how to deal with that frustration or adversity."

But in round four, and clear in body and mind, Sylvia slammed on two goals in the second quarter against Richmond. It was Melbourne's first win of the season and a game that heralded a rich run of form for the boy from Merbein.

Against Hawthorn, Sylvia amassed 37 disposals, booted four goals and received three Brownlow votes in a losing side.

He soon followed up in round 11 with 32 touches and three goals against Collingwood on the Queen's Birthday. Another 30-plus disposal effort came against Carlton in round 21.

Sylvia said his stand-out season had a lot to do with the advice of key people and credited captain James McDonald in particular for helping him to concentrate on football.

"He's just got such a good footy brain and in life as well He will listen to you, but he will give you advice straight down the line as well. He's an old-fashioned country guy, who won't beat around the bush - he'll tell you how it is," Sylvia said.

"It's taken him a long time to get where he is - probably five years ago no-one would've thought he'd be where he is now. He's become one of the best leaders at the club [and] he's respected that much it's unbelievable.

"He does everything so professionally and always does things right. He's someone you can really look up to."

Sylvia also singled out the influence of president Jim Stynes and Leading Teams consultant Jim Plunkett. Board member Andrew Leoncelli and Sylvia's manager Tom Petroro have been strong mentors, too.

Despite his heroics of last season, Sylvia said he doesn't feel any extra pressure for next year.

"I've probably felt a whole lot of pressure the whole time I've been at the club, but I don't feel any pressure whatsoever now," he said.

"My head is so clear at the moment that I'm ready for any challenge in life."