Vale Colin Sylvia

[Dee Since 73 267]

1 hour ago, Biffen said:

Nice One GS.

I shall watch/ listen to some Fado tonight and think of Col .

 Enjoy. GS.

 

[Diablo Deemon 220]

Country boy. So gifted with amazing talent. May your family have all the support and love they need.

Loved watching you play. Thanks for the light in some dark times as a supporter. Thanks for the smile. Still can’t believe it. 

RIP Colin. 

[Caligula's cohort 1,014]

The death of Colin Sylvia has hit me pretty hard. He was my idol growing up watching the Dees play at the MCG. Hopefully the club will rest the number 12 next year temporarily as a tribute to Col. Gone far too soon!

Rest easy mate, i'll have a bev in your honour! 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,686]

14 hours ago, Caligula's cohort said:

The death of Colin Sylvia has hit me pretty hard. He was my idol growing up watching the Dees play at the MCG. Hopefully the club will rest the number 12 next year temporarily as a tribute to Col. Gone far too soon!

Rest easy mate, i'll have a bev in your honour! 

Personally, I don't understand this concept. Couldn't we equally say we've given the number 12 to the first player we draft as a tribute to Sylvia, given that he was the first player we took in his draft year? 

[Dr.D 1,771]

I feel like the club/fans could arrange for some sort of show of respect at our round 1 clash. Like maybe the 12th minute mark of one of the quarters everyone can stand up for a minute or something..I just think it would be a nice touch as he was a fan favourite for many years and close to many of the players. 

[Demonland 71,238]

4 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

I feel like the club/fans could arrange for some sort of show of respect at our round 1 clash. Like maybe the 12th minute mark of one of the quarters everyone can stand up for a minute or something..I just think it would be a nice touch as he was a fan favourite for many years and close to many of the players. 

I like the sentiment but I've never understood the semi-ambiguous nature of these type of tributes. What's wrong with a proper tribute from the club/fans prior to the game? Perhaps something during one of Robbo's segments. They could invite some of his teammates who could say a few words, show some highlights and have a moments silence. No need to hide the tribute while the game is on.

I think the display that you are suggesting is more suited to protests and not necessarily the right thing for a show of respect for the untimely passing of a past player.

[Vagg 2,437]

57 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I like the sentiment but I've never understood the semi-ambiguous nature of these type of tributes. What's wrong with a proper tribute from the club/fans prior to the game? Perhaps something during one of Robbo's segments. They could invite some of his teammates who could say a few words, show some highlights and have a moments silence. No need to hide the tribute while the game is on.

I think the display that you are suggesting is more suited to protests and not necessarily the right thing for a show of respect for the untimely passing of a past player.

Agreed, mate.  Your Dad's tribute piece posted separately is also a must read.  Well done, guys!

[Demonland 71,238]

Just now, Vagg said:

Agreed, mate.  Your Dad's tribute piece posted separately is also a must read.  Well done, guys!

I'll re-post here.

THE KID - A TRIBUTE TO COLIN by Whispering Jack

There are some truly endearing memories that I have of the Kid, one or two of them off the ground and others on the field of play.

It seemed to me that at every club function I attended, one of the constants was the sight of the much-loved Colin Sylvia, face smiling and friendly, surrounded by admirers, young and old, male and female. There was the promotional clip (Foxtel, I think) with Colin in the locker room beside skipper David Neitz draped in towels and joking. It was as if, from the very beginning, the new boy on the block was being typecast as a larrikin, albeit a lovable one who, in our hopes, would one day  become a hero.

And that was the problem for the recruit from Merbein which, during my childhood produced another star Demon in Hassa Mann, a shy country lad who went on to captain the club, played in a few premierships and was a solid citizen off the field. The new kid from Merbein simply kept getting into trouble. 

There were problems with a girlfriend, he broke team curfews, missed the odd recovery session, left the scene of a car accident (it’s unclear if he was the driver). He was often in the wrong place and the wrong condition at the wrong time but we all still loved him. After all, he was going to be our hero.

On the field, he was something else. The first time I saw him was in a practice match for Melbourne’s then affiliate Sandringham, at the Beach Road Oval, ironically named after another blond larrikan Trevor Barker who also passed at far too young and age but from cancer. There was one brief moment that defined Sylvia’s potential as a contender when he gathered the ball near the centre, swiveled past an opponent and barreled the ball from 70 metres out. Years later when I recalled that piece of play with him at a club best and fairest night, he laughed and said he remembered it but thought the kick was “from closer to 80 metres out”.

It took a year or so to get his career going and it built slowly but surely within a few years during which time he grew in stature to the point that it wasn’t necessary to call him by his surname. He was Colin and we loved him.

The tough break for Colin was that Melbourne went into decline just as he was approaching his prime. Most supporters would agree that his best game came on Sunday, 24 May, 2009 on the MCG in front of almost 40,000 fans against Hawthorn when he amassed 24 kicks, 13 handballs, 9 marks and 4 goals that were just not enough to get the Demons across the line. 

He continued to play good football for the year despite the fact that the club was regularly accused of tanking its matches and again into 2010 but at around that time, the injuries in the form of groin and shoulder problems came, the team was performing miserably as the veterans left while other young saviours who were replacing them struggled.

The contender was also struggling to live up to his potential status as a hero; he was failing and the fun had gone. After 157 games and 129 goals, the Kid departed for Fremantle at the end of 2013.

Things didn’t work out in the West and, amid ongoing controversy about his attitude and behaviour under Ross Lyon, Colin managed six more games that were mostly unremarkable. Career over before his 29th birthday with life after football bringing further challenges for a young man who found retirement from the game at its top level a tough gig. 

Colin was working to get his life on track when his car collided with another vehicle last Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Nineteenth Street and Benetook Avenue in the Mildura suburb of Irymple. He died on the scene and will be buried today.

We loved him to death - our deepest sympathies go to his family.

[Vagg 2,437]

15 minutes ago, Demonland said:

I'll re-post here.

THE KID - A TRIBUTE TO COLIN by Whispering Jack

There are some truly endearing memories that I have of the Kid, one or two of them off the ground and others on the field of play.

It seemed to me that at every club function I attended, one of the constants was the sight of the much-loved Colin Sylvia, face smiling and friendly, surrounded by admirers, young and old, male and female. There was the promotional clip (Foxtel, I think) with Colin in the locker room beside skipper David Neitz draped in towels and joking. It was as if, from the very beginning, the new boy on the block was being typecast as a larrikin, albeit a lovable one who, in our hopes, would one day  become a hero.

And that was the problem for the recruit from Merbein which, during my childhood produced another star Demon in Hassa Mann, a shy country lad who went on to captain the club, played in a few premierships and was a solid citizen off the field. The new kid from Merbein simply kept getting into trouble. 

There were problems with a girlfriend, he broke team curfews, missed the odd recovery session, left the scene of a car accident (it’s unclear if he was the driver). He was often in the wrong place and the wrong condition at the wrong time but we all still loved him. After all, he was going to be our hero.

On the field, he was something else. The first time I saw him was in a practice match for Melbourne’s then affiliate Sandringham, at the Beach Road Oval, ironically named after another blond larrikan Trevor Barker who also passed at far too young and age but from cancer. There was one brief moment that defined Sylvia’s potential as a contender when he gathered the ball near the centre, swiveled past an opponent and barreled the ball from 70 metres out. Years later when I recalled that piece of play with him at a club best and fairest night, he laughed and said he remembered it but thought the kick was “from closer to 80 metres out”.

It took a year or so to get his career going and it built slowly but surely within a few years during which time he grew in stature to the point that it wasn’t necessary to call him by his surname. He was Colin and we loved him.

The tough break for Colin was that Melbourne went into decline just as he was approaching his prime. Most supporters would agree that his best game came on Sunday, 24 May, 2009 on the MCG in front of almost 40,000 fans against Hawthorn when he amassed 24 kicks, 13 handballs, 9 marks and 4 goals that were just not enough to get the Demons across the line. 

He continued to play good football for the year despite the fact that the club was regularly accused of tanking its matches and again into 2010 but at around that time, the injuries in the form of groin and shoulder problems came, the team was performing miserably as the veterans left while other young saviours who were replacing them struggled.

The contender was also struggling to live up to his potential status as a hero; he was failing and the fun had gone. After 157 games and 129 goals, the Kid departed for Fremantle at the end of 2013.

Things didn’t work out in the West and, amid ongoing controversy about his attitude and behaviour under Ross Lyon, Colin managed six more games that were mostly unremarkable. Career over before his 29th birthday with life after football bringing further challenges for a young man who found retirement from the game at its top level a tough gig. 

Colin was working to get his life on track when his car collided with another vehicle last Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Nineteenth Street and Benetook Avenue in the Mildura suburb of Irymple. He died on the scene and will be buried today.

We loved him to death - our deepest sympathies go to his family.

Thanks, Andy.  Guess the funeral is in progress right now (11:45 am your time...)

[Dr.D 1,771]

3 hours ago, Demonland said:

I like the sentiment but I've never understood the semi-ambiguous nature of these type of tributes. What's wrong with a proper tribute from the club/fans prior to the game? Perhaps something during one of Robbo's segments. They could invite some of his teammates who could say a few words, show some highlights and have a moments silence. No need to hide the tribute while the game is on.

I think the display that you are suggesting is more suited to protests and not necessarily the right thing for a show of respect for the untimely passing of a past player.

well yeah i agree. its just i dont have the pulling power to organise the club to do something do I..whereas its much easier to organise something for the fans.

[Demonland 71,238]

7 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

well yeah i agree. its just i dont have the pulling power to organise the club to do something do I..whereas its much easier to organise something for the fans.

Fair enough. It wasn't a knock. I actually hope the club do organise some kind of match day tribute. I assume the boys will be wearing black armbands but I'd love it if there was something more pre-match in Round 1.

[Deevout 492]

4 hours ago, Demonland said:

Fair enough. It wasn't a knock. I actually hope the club do organise some kind of match day tribute. I assume the boys will be wearing black armbands but I'd love it if there was something more pre-match in Round 1.

One would hope the club wiIl have Colin grace the “G” in the Red and Blue one last time.....on the big sceen. Round one 2019. 

Then a minutes silence. 

RIP Colin Sylvia ?

[DV8 2,271]

12 hours ago, Demonland said:

I like the sentiment but I've never understood the semi-ambiguous nature of these type of tributes. What's wrong with a proper tribute from the club/fans prior to the game? Perhaps something during one of Robbo's segments. They could invite some of his teammates who could say a few words, show some highlights and have a moments silence. No need to hide the tribute while the game is on.

I think the display that you are suggesting is more suited to protests and not necessarily the right thing for a show of respect for the untimely passing of a past player.

What do you mean, hide it.

... everyone standing UP at the 12 minute mark of the 1st Qtr,.  and taking hats/caps off... is highlighting the respect, to all and sundry.

[Demonland 71,238]

3 minutes ago, DV8 said:

What do you mean, hide it.

... everyone standing UP at the 12 minute mark of the 1st Qtr,.  and taking hats/caps off... is highlighting the respect, to all and sundry.

If it can be organised and get the word out to the 50,000 people there then I'll stand up but I'd rather an actual organised tribute before the game that everyone knows about. 

[DV8 2,271]

20 minutes ago, Demonland said:

If it can be organised and get the word out to the 50,000 people there then I'll stand up but I'd rather an actual organised tribute before the game that everyone knows about. 

During the match, stands out more, for being noticed.

Demons do need to stand out more... and we need to stand up for more.

Being, the ol' conservative "we'll fall into line" type,  has gotten is nothing, and nowhere.

 

Lets be BOLD.

 

Vale`Col...

 

.

[Demonland 71,238]

8 hours ago, DV8 said:

During the match, stands out more, for being noticed.

Demons do need to stand out more... and we need to stand up for more.

Being, the ol' conservative "we'll fall into line" type,  has gotten is nothing, and nowhere.

 

Lets be BOLD.

 

Vale`Col...

 

.

No disrespect to Col but to be honest when the footys on I want to watch the footy. 

[DV8 2,271]

4 hours ago, Demonland said:

No disrespect to Col but to be honest when the footys on I want to watch the footy. 

No disrespect as well from me, but...

 

You don't have to shut your eyes, when standing.  Its OK to keep them open, and watching...

Why be so stayed and boring, doing a pol'-correct revision in respect ?

 

If one means it, they will want to show it, in a "display", as Col did_   this is one way of doing it for him, his way.

Not the conservative styled Mcc way, of hiding your emotions in close.  This way has not served this footy club well.

 

Compare our conservative ways,  to how the bummers, tigers, pies display they're emotions.  They are power clubs,  and are listened to for a reason,  and we are not... seen in our recent fixturing.

Edited November 3, 2018 by DV8

[jane02 3,741]

On 11/2/2018 at 11:46 AM, Vagg said:

Thanks, Andy.  Guess the funeral is in progress right now (11:45 am your time...)

The funeral is Friday 9th November at 11am in Mildura. I just saw it listed in this mornings paper.

[Ethan Tremblay 30,815]

7 hours ago, Demonland said:

No disrespect to Col but to be honest when the footys on I want to watch the footy. 

Agreed. A highlight reel of Colin and a speech by a representative of the club pre-game would be sufficient. Then it’s business as usual. 

[Demonland 71,238]

Alright. Let's keep this thread about Colin.

[Lou C. Fur 1,009]

On 10/29/2018 at 9:59 AM, caddypgt said:

Gorgeous player when on ... so sad to have lived such a short life.

Here is a small youtube playlist of Colin's highlights. Just let it play through, clips will automatically cycle to the next.
 

 

Great showreel caddypgt! . Thanks for putting this together and sharing. Great tribute. RIP Colin Sylvia.

Edited November 3, 2018 by Demonia

[DV8 2,271]

On 11/2/2018 at 10:18 AM, Dr.D said:

I feel like the club/fans could arrange for some sort of show of respect at our round 1 clash. Like maybe the 12th minute mark of one of the quarters everyone can stand up for a minute or something..I just think it would be a nice touch as he was a fan favourite for many years and close to many of the players. 

Lets hold onto this Dr.  We'll revisit this, after the New year...

 

And make the push for us all to standup, right on the 12 minute mark of the 1st Qtr_ in Rnd 1, 2019 H&A season... and proceed to start singing the Club song, in tribute to Col.

.

[DV8 2,271]

On 10/29/2018 at 9:59 AM, caddypgt said:

Gorgeous player when on ... so sad to have lived such a short life.

Here is a small youtube playlist of Colin's highlights. Just let it play through, clips will automatically cycle to the next.
 

 

 

[Nasher 33,607]

On 11/1/2018 at 6:50 PM, Caligula's cohort said:

The death of Colin Sylvia has hit me pretty hard. He was my idol growing up watching the Dees play at the MCG. Hopefully the club will rest the number 12 next year temporarily as a tribute to Col. Gone far too soon!

Rest easy mate, i'll have a bev in your honour! 

At risk of sounding like an old fart, it hadn’t occurred to me that there would be adults on Demonland still young enough for Colin Sylvia to have been included in their idols growing up set. His era feels too recent as the years fly by.

It adds another dimension to the club’s collective grief that I hadn’t considered. Condolences to yourself and others out there in that boat. 

[Caligula's cohort 1,014]

5 hours ago, Nasher said:

At risk of sounding like an old fart, it hadn’t occurred to me that there would be adults on Demonland still young enough for Colin Sylvia to have been included in their idols growing up set. His era feels too recent as the years fly by.

It adds another dimension to the club’s collective grief that I hadn’t considered. Condolences to yourself and others out there in that boat. 

I was 14 when he was drafted which was really about the time I started to follow the Demons passionately.