and we effectively swapped him out for Bernie Vince

Paul Roos is god

While Bernie had been great and at the time we needed to add some senior players but when he retires in 2-3 years lets not forget Matt Crouch will be a 23 yo midfield bull for Adel hitting his prime with 8-10 years of footy ahead of him. He would have fitted in nicely in the center square setup with AB and JV.

Physique , strength , skill - he had it all. All of us can remember Cole's great moments - some of them Ablett like.

However, it seems the di c k head card overcomes all. Like the "Joker" in Euchre .

I don't play euchre with the joker BBO. What's the version you play?

The joker makes his appearance in 500 for mine, not that I have witnessed him in my hands very often.

You can never understate how much op set Col development back when he first came to the club , anyone that's had it would know, now am not saying it is the sole reason for Col unfilled talent, but it took over 3 years for him to get over it.

Laurence Angwin probably has everyone covered.

Not a patch on Sylvia's talent. Butyes still a wasted talent.

Mitch thorp is another..

You can never understate how much op set Col development back when he first came to the club , anyone that's had it would know, now am not saying it is the sole reason for Col unfilled talent, but it took over 3 years for him to get over it.

Not quite sure what you are saying here but McLean was drafted in the same year and showed alot more leadership and drive - until he did the dirty on us,....

Who else would be wasted talent?

Liam Jurrah!!!

I love that this has blown up in Fremantle's face.

They thought - 'oh, Melbourne couldn't develop a chia pet, we will make him a star...'

Yeah, nah.

Like West Coast with Morton, North Melbourne with Gysberts, Richmond with Maric and probably Geelong with Blease.

How many years did we sit around, hoping "THIS year" would be the one that Trapper finally hit his straps and became the star we all wanted him to be, and could see he had the talent to be?

Alas, it was never to be. We just got teased!

Then, along came Col...

Alas, yet another tease...!

Here's hoping the rot has been broken, and Jesse and Gus go on to be more than just teasers...!!

Like West Coast with Morton, North Melbourne with Gysberts, Richmond with Maric and probably Geelong with Blease.

and that other bloke....damn if i can remember his name

Your

Not quite sure what you are saying here but McLean was drafted in the same year and showed alot more leadership and drive - until he did the dirty on us,....

your not sure what am on about, injury has a lot to do with how a player devlopes, mclean had a sound body when he got to the club, and not everyone can be a leader, too many leaders can destroy a team.

Col probably has a decent earner of a decade ahead. More than likely in some premier league where he can coast through a game playing quite ok; not have to over exert, kick a few, get fawned and lauded, load up on a Sat night and repeat next week.

He was born for this as a good ol boy !!!

AFL just asked too much.

While Bernie had been great and at the time we needed to add some senior players but when he retires in 2-3 years lets not forget Matt Crouch will be a 23 yo midfield bull for Adel hitting his prime with 8-10 years of footy ahead of him. He would have fitted in nicely in the center square setup with AB and JV.

or he could be on the scrapheap. Crouch has shown good signs but there's absolutely no way you can say he'll be around for 15 years. Give me Vince any day of the week.

Liam Jurrah!!!

Definitely the greatest waste of talent I've ever seen, streets (suburbs/states/countries) ahead of Col.

The AFL interview with Freo's general manager of football operations, Chris Bond, disclosed clearly enough that Col did not force them to pay him out anything like his full contract amount at all.

http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/video/2015-04-28/bond-on-sylvia

2.51m Press: "Did you have to honor his original contract?" Bond: " …work through a settlement.. …it's something that's been really favorable to the club, & I think all parties have been really understanding of that.."

Clearly Col could have screwed much more money out of them, but didn't. Press: "So it's not just honoring his original contract?" Bond: "No it's not…"

A sign of good character. I respect him for that and wish him well.

I don't know whether Col had some other health issue causing him to never reach the consistent lofty pinnacle he seemed to have the potential for?

I guess he just enjoyed the party more than hard work.

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Col probably has a decent earner of a decade ahead. More than likely in some premier league where he can coast through a game playing quite ok; not have to over exert, kick a few, get fawned and lauded, load up on a Sat night and repeat next week.

He was born for this as a good ol boy !!!

AFL just asked too much.

Correct. Could easily get over 1K cash a game playing suburban footy next year

Liam Jurrah!!!

He came and went so quick that I don't ever think about him in scenarios such as these.

In 2013, Col's final year for the club we also saw him produce his most consistent season.

He didn't have those rare games where he get the ball 30+ times and kick 3 goals, he got his 20 touches a few tackles and a goal every couple of weeks.

He could have stayed at Melbourne, would probably have been paid more and played more due to our talent but I think he would have been told his services are not longer required at the end of this year which inevitably ended up being the same as Freo.

In summary, Colin was a disappointment. He'll no doubt enjoy the freedom of life after football but I also hope that he can find something productive to do with the rest of life rather than waste that away as well.

Correct. Could easily get over 1K cash a game playing suburban footy next year

Good average players get over a 1,000 down this way.

Id imagine in wangaratta he would pull 2,500 per game.

Posters have their own views on Col, and rightly so after he walked out of the club for 'success' or money

But Id welcome back col to the mcg for a farewell or thank you. It might be a little over the for a bloke who didn't quite make it but I think as a mark of respect and being a former long time player at the Dees it would be a nice gesture

The MFC righting some of the wrongs of the past and showing respect (even if we don't agree with it) for a former soldier

Not sure I take kindly to this Robbo article. Does he do any research?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/colin-sylvia-retired-after-failing-to-maximise-his-immense-talent-writes-mark-robinson/story-e6frf3e3-1227325516212

"Leaders" at Melbourne when he arrived:

David Neitz

James McDonald

Jeff White

Adam Yze

To name a few.

I may not have used the word "leaders" but even during the Daniher years ( especially in his later years) we celebrated making finals as huge win instead of seeing it for what it was - being in the top 50% - just a pass mark.

Through all parts of the club there was not a commitment to excellence which is what I think this current regime is striving for. I don't think the playing group was challenged to continually better themselves and to be the best they could be.

There is a reason we have had so few "champions" - I believe we had an attitude of close enough is good enough.

You named Yze and White as leaders - good servants of the club - but mentioning them as leaders says it all.

I don't think Robbo was far off the mark in his article.

Posters have their own views on Col, and rightly so after he walked out of the club for 'success' or money

But Id welcome back col to the mcg for a farewell or thank you. It might be a little over the for a bloke who didn't quite make it but I think as a mark of respect and being a former long time player at the Dees it would be a nice gesture

The MFC righting some of the wrongs of the past and showing respect (even if we don't agree with it) for a former soldier

not sure accurate to say he walked out

i suspect he was "encouraged" but we had to maintain he was required etc to get good fa compo

one has to wonder if he was pushed into leaving, that way they can probably promote a rookie or something to fill the void and probably save some money on his salary at the same time.

I don't think they can promote a rookie Deecisive, it's a standard de-listing taking place at an unusual time.

Yes, there's no doubt they will save a bit on the contract, but Freo is basically saying they would rather an empty spot on the list than an under-performing Sylvia.

Makes you wonder whether something happened recently, a straw that broke the camel's back.

The AFL interview with Freo's general manager of football operations, Chris Bond, disclosed clearly enough that Col did not force them to pay him out anything like his full contract amount at all.

http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/video/2015-04-28/bond-on-sylvia

2.51m Press: "Did you have to honor his original contract?" Bond: " …work through a settlement.. …it's something that's been really favorable to the club, & I think all parties have been really understanding of that.."

Clearly Col could have screwed much more money out of them, but didn't. Press: "So it's not just honoring his original contract?" Bond: "No it's not…"

A sign of good character. I respect him for that and wish him well.

I don't know whether Col had some other health issue causing him to never reach the consistent lofty pinnacle he seemed to have the potential for?

I guess he just enjoyed the party more than hard work.

[edit added URL]

He had 2 years left of contract at say $500k per year. I would imagine he will get his full pay this year and a part of next year.That way they free up a spot and save some money for salary cap and Col gets a great deal.He is also probably free to earn more elsewhere and return home.

In 2013, Col's final year for the club we also saw him produce his most consistent season.

He didn't have those rare games where he get the ball 30+ times and kick 3 goals, he got his 20 touches a few tackles and a goal every couple of weeks.

He could have stayed at Melbourne, would probably have been paid more and played more due to our talent but I think he would have been told his services are not longer required at the end of this year which inevitably ended up being the same as Freo.

In summary, Colin was a disappointment. He'll no doubt enjoy the freedom of life after football but I also hope that he can find something productive to do with the rest of life rather than waste that away as well.

If he wants to "waste" the rest of his life.....Surely that is up to him?

Not everybody wants to play AFL and spend countless hours a week pursuing that goal

Maybe he is just sick and tied of it.

Maybe he just wants to live his life without the pressure

To say he will "waste" the rest of his life away is just immature and silly

Footnote: Just heard Ralph on SEN, say Silvia is the greatest wasted talent of the last 20 years!! Big call! Not sure I totally agree but he would be towards the top of that list.