INJURIES haveplayed too much of a role in Colin Sylvia’s short career, but the sublimelytalented, if unlucky young Demon is confident that his fitness woes are behindhim after stringing together 11 games this season.

Yet another injury-ruined summer campaign meant he didn’tmake his first senior appearance until round four, but he’s missed just onegame since and he’s feeling as if he’s finally winning the battle.

“It’s been disappointing and very frustrating,” Sylvia says.“I expected myself to probably be a bit further along at this stage of mycareer, but that’s just the challenge of AFL footy; there’s so many ups anddowns, it’s like a roller-coaster ride.

“A lot of times over the past few years I haven’t been ableto train because of my body. But this year I’ve been in on most trainingsessions, and what a massive difference it makes.”

Dogged by osteitis pubis as well as by shoulder, calf andrib injuries last year, the boy from Merbein has finally shaken off thedebilitating groin condition and credits a tailored exercise regimen andstrategic pelvic taping for helping him banish the nagging self-doubt that hadbegun to cloud his thoughts.

“I’ve had a lot of pelvic strains and it gives me a bit ofstability and really holds me together. That’s been the key indicator this yearfor my body feeling good,” he explains.

“I’m definitely over the osteitis pubis and things are goingin the right direction, but I need to get that full pre-season under my beltand aim for good things next year.”

The 21-year-old midfielder has been recast as a smallforward this season out of necessity after he was unable to get the requisitemiles in his legs over the summer due to off-season shoulder surgery and the continuinggroin issues, but he’s enjoyed the change none the less.

“I think it’s been good for my development. Playing upforward has been a good opportunity to grow,” he says. “I’m enjoying my time upforward and just enjoying my time being in the team.”

The No.3 overall pick in the 2003 NAB AFL National Draft iseyeing a return to the engine room at some point, but is happy to be guided bythe club’s fitness staff on when this will happen.

“That’s something we’ll reassess as I get fitter,” he says. “Iwent in there a little bit last week, and I think they’re expecting me to move inmore often pretty soon

“When I get that opportunity I’ve just got to grab it by thescruff of the neck and make the most of it. I enjoy playing my footy in themidfield, but I just haven’t been fit enough.”

Sylvia is one of a group of up-and-coming young playersmentioned as potential captaincy material when David Neitz retires and, althoughhe’s not actively pursuing a leadership role at the club, it is somethingthat’s on his radar.

“I still think I’m maturing as a bloke and it’s somethingI’d like to work towards because I’d definitely like to be some sort of leaderor role model around the club in the future, but that sort of stuff will lookafter itself,” he says.

Right now, however, he maintains that a solid finish to theseason by the team is of more importance to him and his teammates, and he saysMark Riley has guided the side expertly since he took over from Neale Daniher.

Sylvia is eager to use the remaining portion of a testingseason as the base for an all-out effort in 2008 which he hopes will go someway towards putting a silver lining on the difficult period.   

 “We’re not going tomake the finals this year, which has opened the door for a lot of younger guys.This gives them an opportunity to get some experience and get some games undertheir belts before all the more experienced guys come back.

“It hasn’t been easy, but that’s footy though; it’s a roller-coasterride throughout your whole career.”