Colin Sylvia (No.12)

Career
Debut: 2004
Career matches: 121
Career goals: 105
 
2011
Matches: 19
Goals: 25
Kicks: 215
Marks: 74
Handballs: 165
Disposals: 380
Tackles: 101

Todd Viney’s season assessment
We saw Col play some fantastic games, particularly against Richmond late in the year. We need to see his consistency more often. He’s one of the really strong, physically conditioned guys we must see elite performances from more consistently. It was good to see him sign for another two years and we expect to see him as a power forward/midfielder.
 
Round-by-round assessment
Comments made by 2011 Melbourne coaching staff members Mark Williams, Brad Gotch and Kelly O’Donnell

AFL: Round 1 v Sydney Swans
Col spread hard and played well, particularly in the second quarter. He kicked a goal and was very good at winning the ball and sending it inside 50. He also produced some long, penetrating kicks. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 2 v Hawthorn
Col was very good with his attacking play. He collected a team-high 26 disposals, but he needed to work on his defensive positioning. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 3 v Brisbane Lions
Col was solid, without having a big influence on the game. He sent the ball inside 50 five times. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 4 v Gold Coast Suns
Col provided us with some good spread and was involved in some important passages of play. He also had nine inside 50s and won some stoppages. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 5 - Bye

AFL: Round 6 v West Coast Eagles  
Col played numerous roles and was in-and-out of the game. He needed to impose himself on the game and concentrate on his ball use. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 7 v Adelaide Crows    
Col really started the game well. He had an impact inside and had a fantastic patch in the third quarter, kicking two quick goals to break the game open. His aggression was terrific. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 8 v North Melbourne  
Col played an even game. He bashed and crashed inside and spread hard when the opportunity arose. We expected a lot from Col, because he was so important to our ball movement. He needed to keep focused on his ball use and his involvement in the game. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 9 v St Kilda
Col was solid again. He continued his consistent year and once again his physicality was evident. Col had a team-high 12 contested possessions and continued to bash and crash at stoppage. Mark Williams  

AFL: Round 10 v Carlton
Col’s physicality was excellent again and he worked really hard in-and-under. He finished with a team-high 12 contested possessions, so he led the way in that area. He continued his solid season. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 11 v Essendon
Col got injured early in the match. He tried to battle through, but couldn’t come back. He kicked a good goal early and looked set for a big game. Unfortunately, injury got the better of him. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 12 v Collingwood
Col started very strongly and had an impact on the scoreboard. He finished with four goals. We needed Colin to be focused on his defensive work rate. This was so he could help us turn the ball over inside our forward 50. Therefore it would’ve provided more scoring opportunities for our team. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 13 v Fremantle
Col’s work rate was terrific. He got involved in the play and continually made his opponent defend him by spreading hard forward. Once again, he hit the scoreboard early in the game, which was important for him and the team’s confidence. His ability to press was a highlight. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 14 v Richmond
Col was a little bit quieter than usual, although he still had an influence on the game. He kicked a really good goal at an important time. We felt he was just about ready to explode with a massive game. His spread was really important and his defensive game improved. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 15 v Western Bulldogs
Col had a quiet game compared to his standards. He didn’t work hard enough to involve himself in the game and wasn’t physical enough. No doubt this was a disappointing performance from Col, but it sparked him back into action for his next match. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 16 - Bye
 
AFL: Round 17 v Port Adelaide
It was a welcome return to form for Col. He had 25 disposals, took some strong marks and provided a great connection between the back and forward lines. His ball use was good, as was his run-and-carry through the midfield. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 18 v Hawthorn
Col was very quiet. At times, he wandered through the game and didn’t involve himself enough. He didn’t have enough impact with his possessions. We needed Col to focus on his offensive spread away from stoppage, and his defensive positioning at stoppage and in general play. We needed more from an important player. Mark Williams  

AFL: Round 19 v Geelong Cats
Col was poor defensively. He had a disappointing first half and didn’t impose himself on the game. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 20 v Carlton (emergency)/VFL: Round 19 v Sandringham
Colin displayed a first class attitude. He showed great resolve, and there was no doubt that he meant business. He had a role to play, and his physical strength was fantastic at the stoppages. He was freed up a bit when we were eight goals up, and obviously enjoyed playing - he’ll be better for the experience. Brad Gotch

AFL: Round 21 v West Coast Eagles
Col’s intensity was up early, particularly with his tackling, but he didn’t provide enough out of his spread. He needed to involve himself more in the game when he didn’t have the ball. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 22 v Richmond
Col played an outstanding game. He had 29 disposals and won plenty of one-on-one contests. He also made an impact on the scoreboard, with eight inside 50s and five goals. That’s the type of performance we expected from Col, but unfortunately he didn’t play for the rest of the season, due to suspension. The way he played was the way we know he can play. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 23 v Gold Coast Suns
Suspended: two matches
 
AFL: Round 24 v Port Adelaide
Suspended: two matches