Colin Sylvia going ... going ... GONE!

[hardtack 10,126]

I wish him well if he leaves.

This would be a chance for the AFL to give us slight overs for our compensation pick. (Considering we didn't get a PP)

If he does indeed go, maybe that will facilitate the reuniting of the Jones brothers? Can but hope.

[dee-luded 2,958]

I happy I don't have to change it now.

who is feeding you your info?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTRlw0qnlGA

[McQueen 17,863]

If he leaves and ends up at Freo it will indeed be interesting to see how he performs. This notion put forward by media commentators that Col will be a better contributor when surrounded by a quality team is plausible and definitely adds a further amount of expectation on him.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if he's running around in the WAFL next year.

If trading pick 2 delivers real value then I couldn't care less if he leaves.

[hardtack 10,126]

Ok, someone had to do it, so it might as well be me (as much as I detest the song):

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

We lose everyone as soon as they get their chance to leave, we attract no one; we are a feeder team now.

Meanwhile GWS get Mumford and have pick #1 to barter with, Sydney get Buddy and we get diddly squat. Not even a pathetic PP.

Tell me why did all these fat cats go to the US to investigate "equalization?" This competition is so unequal it's pathetic.

I have this sinking feeling, this club and our fellow lowly brothers are in quicksand. That's it for us.

[Machsy 2,856]

Will he actually work harder though?

Col may end up surrounded by greater talent, but will be put in??

[What 18,810]

Not fussed if he stays or goes

much like Moloney, only runs one way and despite looking big and strong plays like a girl

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

If this pick can land Jones then I'll get over it

[Demon Disciple 10,938]

If this pick can land Jones then I'll get over it

Ding, Ding , Ding, Ding, Ding!!! This, absolutely this.

[felixdacat 459]

Oh well I guess that frees up a spot on the list and in the team. If we don't fill it with an established midfielder through trade it will give one of our many young players an opportunity.

Good luck Col!

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Another reason to hate freo? (Not that I need any more!)

In my list of hated Clubs there is Collingwood then Freo

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Not fussed if he stays or goes

much like Moloney, only runs one way and despite looking big and strong plays like a girl

HH our Ladies team actual wins games!

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Don't think he was suggesting that bb.

He was suggesting I think we have to go hard at using free agency our selves.

OD you convinced me. I ill go as a free agent to the highest offer.

I know Mrs Frog will pay a couple of dollars for me.

[Binmans PA 26,053]

In my list of hated Clubs there is Collingwood then Freo

Where does West Coast sit in the hatred rankings? I don't live in WA, so I never have to deal with it on the same level, but I've never really felt either way about Freo. They're always that pitiful purple club in my mind. Further, they've had less success than even us since their inception. West Coast hatred I can understand, but the Purple People? I'd just pat them on the head. The more I think about it, the more I begin to wonder whether Lyon's coaching style can win the ultimate prize. His teams have absolutely crumbled in big finals.

[Chook 14,475]

HH our Ladies team actual wins games!

Yeah, but only against other girls,

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Where does West Coast sit in the hatred rankings? I don't live in WA, so I never have to deal with it on the same level, but I've never really felt either way about Freo. They're always that pitiful purple club in my mind. Further, they've had less success than even us since their inception. West Coast hatred I can understand, but the Purple People? I'd just pat them on the head. The more I think about it, the more I begin to wonder whether Lyon's coaching style can win the ultimate prize. His teams have absolutely crumbled in big finals.

TBH I have mixed feeling having been a WCE Supporter in the past.

The period that I was a supporter, I still have a soft spot for the Club and players but have little interest in the current team.

My passion against Freo (purple plague) had come from the feral attacks on WCE when I was a WCE Supporter but grew during my period as a MFC Supporter.

As a young boy , back in the days before the AFL I had a strong support for a local WAFL Club which I still do today. Both the local AFL continue to screw around with the WAFL which had cost my team at least one Premiership in the past and there is likely to be future losses as well.

So not sure where the WCE sit in my list currently but its very close to the bottom.

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Yeah, but only against other girls,

So they will be great against Collingwood and Carlton then?

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

The fact it's Sylvia thats going is irrelevant. The symbolism of yet another senior player leaving to chase success is a very dark omen for the future of the club, the future of the other small clubs and the future of the competition. FA has opened pandoras box and I fear the disparity has now grown to such a level that the lid on this can not be closed.

The comp is entering the point of no return. FA will create one way traffic for the quality senior players wanting a flag. in return the smaller clubs will be getting the Rodans and the Byrnes from free agency. A self perpetuating and widening gulf between the haves and the have nots.

MFC lack of success in recent years was the worst timing possible and this period may be looked upon in future years as the straw that broke the camel's back.

[bing181 8,165]

The comp is entering the point of no return. FA will create one way traffic for the quality senior players wanting a flag. in return the smaller clubs will be getting the Rodans and the Byrnes from free agency. A self perpetuating and widening gulf between the haves and the have nots.

I don't know that that we're at a point of no return, as it's still early days. But it certainly seems we're at a point we're it's becoming obvious that the "big" clubs and the "premiership window open clubs" will pick off the cream of the FA players - through the FA players' own choice of course. Rivers to Geelong. Sylvia to Freo etc.

Whether or not the clubs not in that category will be able to kick up enough of a fuss to get something done remains to be seen. Equalisation anyone?

[Demon trucker 1,750]

What the AFL really want is the current top 4 to stay as it is, the only thing the AFL care about is. The tv rights, the AFL is running a marketing competition, not a football competition. They need a strong swans, and will do everything to keep them strong.

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,880]

Will he actually work harder though?

Col may end up surrounded by greater talent, but will be put in??

Our club would benefit more over the next two seasons with Chapman than Sylvia. Kinda of says a lot doesn't it.

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,880]

I can only hope the club has smartened up and he was only offered what reflects his output. As we know clubs must offer more in order to get players to shift clubs. I don't see this as a loss for us if we use the money and lure a quality mid.

[Whispering_Jack 27,971]

Well, if he goes (and for the record I think it would be best for the club and player if he did) then we know the compensation won't be all that great because, like Moloney and Rivers before him, he's not young and he won't command a large or a long term contract. These are the major factors in determining compensation and you don't get all that much for what on the face of it are damaged goods.

[jackaub 1,402]

I am amazed that anyone here really cares whether Col goes or not

1) Serial under performer

2) Either was a part of the bad culture at Melbourne or was wrecked by it

3) Never really played a full game for the Dees went missing

4) Looks big and strong plays like a weakling

5) Really never showed any leadership or mentoring to the young players

6) 27 years old an wont be part of the Demons resurgence which is at least 3 years off if at all

Good Luck Col enjoy the beaches, sun and running around for South or East Freo

[Adzman 2,085]

With Buddy off the table Sylvia is now one of the top UFA in the AFL. We know Freo have some money given they were players in the Buddy sweepstakes as early as May this year.

There is still some hope around that Sylvia will stay, however I think that the chance to play finals and get an equal contract to whatever he would at Melbourne would sway him to make the move to Freo. If this does occur, we must make sure that the compo selection is used for the betterment of developing the list, not to be used to find another "mature body" akin to last years Neeld disaster of finding whatever scraps clubs were willing to send us.

If we pick up Cross he can fill Sylvia's shoes for a season or two, and that compo pick should be used to find a player who can potentially give the club 10 years of quality football.