I, like most supporters have always hoped for something special from Sylvia, and have only seen glimpses of elite football thus far, but there was an aspect to his game on Sunday that I had never noticed before and it has got me very excited that he is about to emerge as one of the most dynamic and damaging midfielders in the comp. This burst speed he showed on several occassions on Sunday is something either he hasn't shown, or I have missed, but it was amazing. Whether it was the blood-clot injury or something else holding him back, but he was able to go from cruise speed within a congested area to suddenly take posession of the ball and burst clear, showing acceleration and top speed that left opposition and teammates in his wake. It took me by surprise.

Having Sylvia come back in and show that form, on top of Jurrah's return and begin to find his rhythm made the win all that more satisfying.

Against a side that 'aint slow either...

And one of these weeks he'll actually take one of the hangers he's been attempting. He goes for a mark of the year every weekend.

Funny you mention this...

I was at a function during the year, were Dean Bailey presented to a group of melbourne supporters a few months back

He spoke about various players and gave a presentation with video clips highlighting his point of view.

He specifcally mentioned Sylvia and said that when he was drafted and in his early years he had some great attributes for a powerful midfielder, but no speed, so Bails & Co developed a program over the past few years to improve that speed & leg strength.

Another example of how Bails is a very good coach at developing a young list

Funny you mention this...

I was at a function during the year, were Dean Bailey presented to a group of melbourne supporters a few months back

He spoke about various players and gave a presentation with video clips highlighting his point of view.

He specifcally mentioned Sylvia and said that when he was drafted and in his early years he had some great attributes for a powerful midfielder, but no speed, so Bails & Co developed a program over the past few years to improve that speed & leg strength.

Another example of how Bails is a very good coach at developing a young list

Great post - nice to hear of some of those things the coaches put in place that can be easy to overlook from the outside.

The toe clearly must have had an effect on him because as mentioned above his burst of speed was something to watch on Sunday. If that is something we see consistently it just adds to the Sylvia package. When on song like Sunday he is a jet of a footballer!

If he was a horse you'd back him everytime when returning from a spell!

Yeah, I've heard Bailey talk before about this: coming into the club and having all these "big bodied" midfielders that were built wrong.

All bulk in the arms and chest and no power in the legs or core.

So from day dot they set about changing the training regime to "rebuild" these players so they could perform better.

It looks to be paying off, but fwiw I have noticed Sylvia show flashes of his bursts of speed dating back to the beginning of last season.

but fwiw I have noticed Sylvia show flashes of his bursts of speed dating back to the beginning of last season.

I saw these bursts in the GF for Sandy v Geelong.

I definitely noticed this on Sunday and thought the same thing. Whilst he has always shown an ability to break away from packs.... that burst of speed was amazing

I love the bloke and we're a much better side with him up and going! Sunday's game as well as the Brisbane game were his best I've probably seen him play!

If he was a horse you'd back him everytime when returning from a spell!

Great call, the Mahogany of the Dees

Sylvia =

I saw these bursts in the GF for Sandy v Geelong.

Also showed in the 2004 GF Sandy v Port Melbourne. Dominated that day, thought we had a real star on our hands. Maybe he'll deliver in the second half of his career.

Agree with others re: the speed he showed against Essendon. It was also in evidence against Port Adelaide in Darwin.

Also showed in the 2004 GF Sandy v Port Melbourne. Dominated that day, thought we had a real star on our hands. Maybe he'll deliver in the second half of his career.

Agree with others re: the speed he showed against Essendon. It was also in evidence against Port Adelaide in Darwin.

Correction. I think I was referring to the GF you have mentioned. (v Port).

I love the bloke and we're a much better side with him up and going! Sunday's game as well as the Brisbane game were his best I've probably seen him play!

His best game had to be the Hawks last year when he got 3 brownlow votes in a losing side. That night he put it all together and showed what he is capable of with hard running, slick disposal and kicking goals. His game on the weekend was probably 90% of that best and should be produced more often than we currently see.

His best game had to be the Hawks last year when he got 3 brownlow votes in a losing side. That night he put it all together and showed what he is capable of with hard running, slick disposal and kicking goals. His game on the weekend was probably 90% of that best and should be produced more often than we currently see.

Yeah, sorry - very good point! Aside from that game then

I noticed a great set play between Col and Beamer, think it was in the 2nd quarter. They said a few words to each other, then at the bounce Sylvia went 3rd up and knocked it straight into Beamers hands as he ran full speed past....very slick work

He is a player that has just about every attribute you would want in a footballer. Just needs to stay on the park and be more regular with it.

He is a player that has just about every attribute you would want in a footballer. Just needs to stay on the park and be more regular with it.

Yeah fair call. But by the sounds of it, Col has been limited by the toe injury for most of the year, so that explains why he hasn't yet captured the form from 2009. Lets hope he can keep this up the rest of the year now...

The speed is great and no doubt (reading between the lines in an interview before or after the game) he had no confidence in his foot for most of the year. Glad to see him back again.

Whether it is midfield or forward, he just adds such an element of danger to the opposition. And that in turn gives our players more confidence going forward to put it up there for him and Jurrah and Greeny and Watts to go for it.

He has the perfect build and hopefully now we will see 5 years of consistent, injury free, high quality football.

Love the Kid.

I remember saying to my old man that he could be anything for us, has the skill, loves it tough and even then was not slow, great overhead and contested mark.

But it really has taken until this year to get his body right and more importantly his noggin right.

Have to say it`s the fittest I`ve ever seen him! Exciting stuff.

Last year was a big step forward. Shame about the toe holding him back this year. Very difficult player to match up on, as will be Jurrah and to a lesser extent Petterd and Watts. That could be the key to our forward line in years ahead.

He specifcally mentioned Sylvia and said that when he was drafted and in his early years he had some great attributes for a powerful midfielder, but no speed, so Bails & Co developed a program over the past few years to improve that speed & leg strength.

Another example of how Bails is a very good coach at developing a young list

I think if you asked him now, he'd probably say Jamar has benefitted from the same regime. Mark has found an engine and ability to make contests he never had before.

He is a player that has just about every attribute you would want in a footballer. Just needs to stay on the park and be more regular with it.

I actually reckon he's not as confident as he could be. If he were to get to the stage where he could hit packs at full pace and burst free with the ball at every opportunity, he could be every bit the player Ablett is. And I'm not even being hyperbolic. He has the attributes like you say... Maybe he's easier to tackle than Gary, but I reckon he can kick the ball further...

:D

Have to say it`s the fittest I`ve ever seen him! Exciting stuff.

My brother and mates saw him in the rooms after the game on the weekend. Fair dinkum, that guy is carved out of stone. You wouldn't envy opposition football clubs having that bearing down on you at pace... You know it's going to hurt and you know it's going to stick.

I noticed a great set play between Col and Beamer, think it was in the 2nd quarter. They said a few words to each other, then at the bounce Sylvia went 3rd up and knocked it straight into Beamers hands as he ran full speed past....very slick work

ya this was very nice, resulted in a goal (or shot for goal) iirc