Colin Sylvia’s decision to retire from the AFL is the best result for him and Fremantle, according to the club’s general manager of football operations Chris Bond.

Colin Sylvia to retire
 
The club announced on Tuesday that the 29 year old, who has played just six games for Fremantle, since coming to WA as a free agent in 2013, would retire.

Bond said the club and player were amicably parting ways.
 
“We never saw Colin as a savior, we saw him as a player who could come in and play his part,” he said.
 
“Unfortunately that hasn’t happened.
 
“It’s the best step for the football club and for Colin.”
 
Bond said he was confident in the club’s free agent recruiting processes that has brought talented players such as Danyle Pearce and defender Zac Dawson to the club.
 
“Successful free agents like Danyle Pearce and Zac Dawson have come in and performed at the level we need,” he said.
 
Bond said the club had worked closely with Sylvia since he was sent to train with Peel Thunder in February, after he had failed to meet the club’s physical requirements for AFL football.
 
“We’ve had some consistent conversations with Colin over the journey, even when he went back to Peel we had constant communication with him,” he said.
 
“There were some challenging times over the last 18 months for Colin and the club.
 
“It’s our job to do everything we can to keep making this club a strong club.
 
“We’ve had some good experiences with free agency…this hasn’t worked for us.”
 
Sylvia played 163 AFL games, 157 of those with Melbourne, who he debuted for in 2004.
 
“He’s stepping away from AFL football and it’s in his best interest for the next stage of his life,” Bond said.