melbournefc.com.au looks back on 12 snapshots from Colin Sylvia's career, after he played his 100th match against Richmond
1 - Drafted: Sylvia is selected at No.3 in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft from Bendigo Pioneers. He hails from Merbein, the same birthplace as Melbourne greats Hassa Mann and Harold Ball. Sylvia arrives at the club as one of the most sought after players in the country, having won All-Australian honours, the TAC Cup Coaches’ Award and Bendigo’s best and fairest at under-18 level.
2 - Debut: Makes his AFL debut against the Kangaroos in round nine, 2004. He plays three matches for the season, with his other two appearances coming in rounds 21 and 22. His first-year is restricted by groin and ankle injuries.
3 - Rising Star nomination: Sylvia is named the AFL Rising Star in round nine, 2005 after winning 20 touches and laying five tackles against Carlton at Princes Park.
4 - Second season: Plays 16 or the first 17 games in 2005, before he dislocates his shoulder, ending his year prematurely.
5 - First final: Sylvia plays 17 of 24 matches in 2006, including two finals. Broken ribs and a calf injury interrupt his season.
6 - 2008: Plays 18 matches for the season - still his best return in seven seasons.
7 - Round 4, 2009: Sylvia rates this performance against Richmond as his career-turner. He kicks two crucial long goals early on, helping Melbourne to its first win of the season.
8 - Round 9, 2009: Regarded by many football observers as Sylvia’s break-out match. Although Melbourne losses by 22 points to Hawthorn, Sylvia was clearly best-on-ground, earning three Brownlow votes. He finishes with 37 disposals, nine marks and four goals.
9 - Round 11, 2009: Two rounds later, Sylvia shines again, despite Melbourne going down by 66 points to Collingwood. He claims 32 disposals and kicks three goals, earning two votes from the umpires.
10 - 2009: Confirms his breakout season. Despite playing 17 matches, he achieves career high disposals (379), goals (17) and tackles (53). He also receives five Brownlow votes.
11 - Round 4, 2010: After missing the opening three rounds through injury, Sylvia returns for his first game of the season and kicks a career-best five goals. His efforts against Richmond help Melbourne to its second win for the season.
12 - Round 18, 2010: In his 99th AFL match, Sylvia claims a game-high 31 disposals in a best-on-ground display against the Brisbane Lions. He also lays eight tackles.
1 - Drafted: Sylvia is selected at No.3 in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft from Bendigo Pioneers. He hails from Merbein, the same birthplace as Melbourne greats Hassa Mann and Harold Ball. Sylvia arrives at the club as one of the most sought after players in the country, having won All-Australian honours, the TAC Cup Coaches’ Award and Bendigo’s best and fairest at under-18 level.
2 - Debut: Makes his AFL debut against the Kangaroos in round nine, 2004. He plays three matches for the season, with his other two appearances coming in rounds 21 and 22. His first-year is restricted by groin and ankle injuries.
3 - Rising Star nomination: Sylvia is named the AFL Rising Star in round nine, 2005 after winning 20 touches and laying five tackles against Carlton at Princes Park.
4 - Second season: Plays 16 or the first 17 games in 2005, before he dislocates his shoulder, ending his year prematurely.
5 - First final: Sylvia plays 17 of 24 matches in 2006, including two finals. Broken ribs and a calf injury interrupt his season.
6 - 2008: Plays 18 matches for the season - still his best return in seven seasons.
7 - Round 4, 2009: Sylvia rates this performance against Richmond as his career-turner. He kicks two crucial long goals early on, helping Melbourne to its first win of the season.
8 - Round 9, 2009: Regarded by many football observers as Sylvia’s break-out match. Although Melbourne losses by 22 points to Hawthorn, Sylvia was clearly best-on-ground, earning three Brownlow votes. He finishes with 37 disposals, nine marks and four goals.
9 - Round 11, 2009: Two rounds later, Sylvia shines again, despite Melbourne going down by 66 points to Collingwood. He claims 32 disposals and kicks three goals, earning two votes from the umpires.
10 - 2009: Confirms his breakout season. Despite playing 17 matches, he achieves career high disposals (379), goals (17) and tackles (53). He also receives five Brownlow votes.
11 - Round 4, 2010: After missing the opening three rounds through injury, Sylvia returns for his first game of the season and kicks a career-best five goals. His efforts against Richmond help Melbourne to its second win for the season.
12 - Round 18, 2010: In his 99th AFL match, Sylvia claims a game-high 31 disposals in a best-on-ground display against the Brisbane Lions. He also lays eight tackles.
