Agents and leverage. Classic negotiation tactics (the old real estate "someone else is about to put down a deposit" trick). Good on Colin and his agent for having a go. I hope MFC are smart enough to know their maximum price for this player, and then get down to negotiation.

The last question is totally up to Colin - accept what the Dees offer in the end, or chase something else?

We will see more and more of these stories between now and the end of the year.

Wake me with the news of signing or defection.

I think Rhino almost scores the winner here.. With Col theres this niggle each game as to exactly which one we'll see. He almost single handedly personifies Melbourne.. You couldnt categorise Col as a NQR but more as a NQC....not quite consistent. And thats Melbourne to an M.

Id be quite happy for Col to turn it on for the next month ( year...years ) and if so then he starts as RR suggests to approach his proposed salary.

Maybe performance based is the way to go ( if not already and possibly the sticking point ) X dollars regardless..= Y for evaulated returns .= possible 450 pa ?

then its up to him and we al lwin if so...but we dont pay over the top if not.

Absolutely. Which is why i mentioned incentives....they are the X factor for Col i believe. He needs them to stay focused on his performance.

Incentive number one Colin....Help us WIN the next 4 games. Show the club and supporters your TRUE talents, not just against Richmond and Port Adelaide, but also against Top 4 sides....now is the time.

If we win the majority of the next 4 weeks games, with Colin playing a large part in the outcome....thus setting up a serious Finals tilt, then the incentive clause of a future contract opens up.

For a player like Sylvia i think incentives are a major positive....he needs to see a carrot

If we make finals then the incentive should already be with Col because he should be looking to see himself as part of a true finals contender for years to come.

He should be paid in a manner that is affordable to the Club and reflective of Sylvia's relative expected contribution to the team over the contract period. There should be enough carrot for Col.If he cant see the carrot that is there at MFC under your scenario then he must be a bunny.

If we make finals then the incentive should already be with Col because he should be looking to see himself as part of a true finals contender for years to come.

He should be paid in a manner that is affordable to the Club and reflective of Sylvia's relative expected contribution to the team over the contract period. There should be enough carrot for Col.If he cant see the carrot that is there at MFC under your scenario then he must be a bunny.

I am not disagreeing...but some people need incentives regardless of the surrounds...i think Colin fits this scenario as he has been to inconsistent over his career. Injuries not withstanding

Must Keep he is a premiership ingredient undoubtedly

His linkage work in the Port game was amazing he was a

key difference in us winning that game.

He has had his best year and ranks top 3 best players this year

I have Maloney just ahead and Jones just behind Sylvia.

Ok. I might be mistaken, but if a reasonable trade does not arise, then wouldn't (for example) Col Sylvia then only have the option of entering the drafts? If Colin Sylvia entered the drafts, there would be no way he would last until club x's picks. Isn't that the incentive for club x to secure a deal via a trade?

It works both ways, never, never forget that. Treat your players with no respect & like they are pieces of meat ... dont blame others when you get the biggest surprise of your life.

However, I'm not saying the Melbourne football club hierarchy are doing this.

No, No, No ... that is being driven elsewhere.

Hope thats plain enough English for the hard of hearing.

Edited July 22, 201113 yr by hangon007

Can anyone explain what the problem is with Col (if there is one). I just cannot trust what I read in the media.

The only figure I've seen that Col wants is $450K (however accurate that is?)

Surely that seems a reasonable amount?

So, is the amount correct? What is he worth?

If the 450k/ three year deal is accurate i'm not sure how talks could break down to be honest. i think both amounts are perfectly reasonable.

Ugh. After all this scully talk in the herald sun, as rule of thumb i don't believe anything in the herald sun anymore. New weekly has more credibility.

Also don't say 'bang'. That's my word. You just look stupid.

No, using catchphrases from popular TV shows and then claiming them as your own makes you look stupid.

Sylvia should be on more than Scully for his next contract. He should be in the top few earners at the club. He is a much better player than Scully right now - great disposal, kicks goals, can play forward and midfield, damages the opposition, in his prime, everything that Scully is not. If Melbourne had to lose one, I prefer we keep Sylvia.

The players managers are honour bound to seek as much lucre as they can for them and to stall contract talks until the end of season

With the heaps of loot that GWS have from HQ its only natural they will go for it,"SHOW ME THE MONEY" Jerry MaGuire

Please explain. If Col wants out, then Col wants out. It's up to the FD to secure a fair and reasonable trade. Why wouldn't we throw in Bate to sweeten the deal and get a better player? Unless you think Matthew Bate is an integral part of our drive for a premiership, in which case you've been living under a rock for the past 17 rounds of football...?

Also don't say 'bang'. That's my word. You just look stupid.

Sam Reid for Sylvia is not Painting you as too bright either. I'd settle for a bucket of cold chips for Matthew Bate if it was offered. Bang.

Edited July 22, 201113 yr by Steamin Demon

Sylvia should be on more than Scully for his next contract. He should be in the top few earners at the club. He is a much better player than Scully right now - great disposal, kicks goals, can play forward and midfield, damages the opposition, in his prime, everything that Scully is not. If Melbourne had to lose one, I prefer we keep Sylvia.

I'll go with that; Col has had some pretty bad injuries over the years and hopefully with a full pre season he will be the game breaker we know he can be. If Tom Scully is worth $600k per year then I can't see why Col should be paid that much less.

I'll go with that; Col has had some pretty bad injuries over the years and hopefully with a full pre season he will be the game breaker we know he can be. If Tom Scully is worth $600k per year then I can't see why Col should be paid that much less.

So we can't compare the timing of the Scully-Sylvia contracts, but we can compare their inherent market value?

This reminds me of the Davey/Green negotiations and we know how they turned out. I hope Col rememebers the patience Melbourne has shown through his injury riddled early 20's. This is probably the most important contract of his career so I don't blame him for seeking the best return.

Agreed. Apparently loyalty towards your club is now seen as thing of the past, let's hope that the notion of 'returning the favour' still exists. Maybe I'm just bitter enough at the thought of Col wanting out and probably getting a bit ahead of myself, but if Sylvia leaves now, I'll be filthy.

After so many frustrating: games, seasons, injuries, setbacks and off-field incidents, it would suck to lose him when we're just beginning to see that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Not the greatest or most macho analogy, but if there is any player that 'owes' it to their club, it is Sylvia.

Sam Reid for Sylvia is not Painting you as too bright either. I'd settle for a bucket of cold chips for Matthew Bate if it was offered. Bang.

I don't think it's that outrageous to suggest a highly touted 19 year old key position forward oozing talent is worth a 25 year old forward/midfielder who, and let's be honest here, struggles with his consistency. This is only a hypothetical trade but for you to simply dismiss it suggests that you have an over-inflated view of the players on out list, in this case Sylvia. We know Sylvia has talent, but he hasn't achieved anything substantial in his career, save for a handful of games a season where he stars.

For what its worth, I don't think Sydney would be willing to let Reid go for Sylvia.

Agree re Bate.

Edited July 22, 201113 yr by mmc

I don't think it's that outrageous to suggest a highly touted 19 year old key position forward oozing talent is worth a 25 year old forward/midfielder who, and let's be honest here, struggles with his consistency. This is only a hypothetical trade but for you to simply dismiss it suggests that you have an over-inflated view of the players on out list, in this case Sylvia. We know Sylvia has talent, but he hasn't achieved anything substantial in his career, save for a handful of games a season where he stars.

For what its worth, I don't think Sydney would be willing to let Reid go for Sylvia.

Agree re Bate.

hehehe ... thanks another great giggle.

What do you think Matty Bate is worth again?

I don't think it's that outrageous to suggest a highly touted 19 year old key position forward oozing talent is worth a 25 year old forward/midfielder who, and let's be honest here, struggles with his consistency. This is only a hypothetical trade but for you to simply dismiss it suggests that you have an over-inflated view of the players on out list, in this case Sylvia. We know Sylvia has talent, but he hasn't achieved anything substantial in his career, save for a handful of games a season where he stars.

For what its worth, I don't think Sydney would be willing to let Reid go for Sylvia.

Agree re Bate.

It's not a matter of Sydney letting Reid go. If Sydney approached Melbourne with that trade I'm tipping the conversaton would be a very quick one. Sylvia is in the top three at Melbourne and thus being a MUST KEEP. Can we as supporters please stop looking towards future stars when we have an out and out star right in our midst.

It's not a matter of Sydney letting Reid go. If Sydney approached Melbourne with that trade I'm tipping the conversaton would be a very quick one. Sylvia is in the top three at Melbourne and thus being a MUST KEEP. Can we as supporters please stop looking towards future stars when we have an out and out star right in our midst.

But what is his price?....that is more the question. We all know Colin has talent to burn.

But what is his price?....that is more the question. We all know Colin has talent to burn.

ATM I'd pay him more than Tom Scully.

yeah it's one in the same.

I don't want to open a floodgate of worms but I am in complete agreeance!

ATM I'd pay him more than Tom Scully.

The Market won't allow that at the moment, we all know that.....Does Colin wish to play with Tom or does he want the contract??

Sylvia has great Talent, but has been too inconsistent for me....but the next 4 weeks could really set Colin up....Big Games are needed by him right now.

I wouldn't want to be doing contracts right now...one must still factor in the AFLPA as well which as well is not resolved....Tough Gig.

hehehe ... thanks another great giggle.

What do you think Matty Bate is worth again?

I agreed with you in regard to bate.... Also, super constructive response there. Keep up the good work.

I must be mistaken- I thought consistency was a key criterion in classifying someone as a star. Obviously the ability to star in five games per season is now sufficient.

Get a grip people. This scenario is played out at every club every year. That's why we have list managers. It's obviously a slow news week. Player agents like to play negotiations out in the media - that's why they leak stuff, and slow news weeks are like manna from heaven to therm.

So we can't compare the timing of the Scully-Sylvia contracts, but we can compare their inherent market value?

Are you serious or do you just like the sound of your own keyboard?

You can compare whoever you want with whomever you want to compare them too. My opinion hasn't changed, there is imo, no comparison between the two sets of negotiations, one is ongoing the other is on hold, one is negotiating the other isn't, it's not that hard when you think about it.

Sylvia has apparently said he is not happy with the Melbourne offer Scully doesn't even want to know what it is.

As for their respective football ability that's always going to be subjective they both bring different skills to the table I just happen to think Sylvia is a more complete player, for instance he can kick long and accurately as well. If Sylvia can apply himself he could be one of the premier players in the comp and al for the bargain basement price of $450k per year which is probably what he's worth not double.