AFL players are paying tribute to former Melbourne and Fremantle player Colin Sylvia, after he was killed in a car crash near Mildura in Victoria's north-west. Key points: Sylvia remembered as a "precocious" and "talented" footballer Sylvia remembered as a "precocious" and "talented" footballer He played 157 games for Melbourne before retiring from the AFL in 2015 He played 157 games for Melbourne before retiring from the AFL in 2015 Former Melbourne teammate Brent Moloney posts Instagram tribute to "best mate" Police were called to the crash in Irymple about 2:20pm (AEDT) on Sunday after two cars collided, killing one of the motorists, who police described as a man in his 30s. Speaking on his SEN Breakfast radio program today, former Melbourne Football Club captain Garry Lyon confirmed the death of the "talented" player. "Former Melbourne and Fremantle player Colin Sylvia has tragically been killed in a car accident up near Mildura … some of the details are a bit sketchy, but a two-car-collision up there," Lyon said. Loading "Colin was taken really early in the draft — I think pick number three — he was a highly talented footballer at the Melbourne footy club. "Precocious and a talent, big personality, he had some ability, he was perfectly made and put together, he had power … he was a real power athlete and was never able to fulfil the potential I guess, which happens to many footy players. "He's had some off-field issues he's had to deal with along the way and now, tragically, overnight has been killed in a car accident, so our condolences and sympathies of course are extended to Colin Sylvia and his family and friends." In a statement, Melbourne Football Club CEO Gary Pert expressed his "deepest compassion" to the Sylvia family. "Our thoughts are with those closest to Colin, his teammates and the extended Melbourne faithful at this difficult time," Pert said. "Colin was not only a great footballer but also a great character, who built many meaningful relationships across the entire club." Sylvia had several run-ins with the law during and after his football career. In January he pleaded guilty to persisting to contravene a family violence order and committing an indictable offence while on bail. Sylvia also admitted to stealing credit card details and using them to pay for a visit to a Melbourne brothel. He was sentenced to 100 hours of community work over the offences and ordered to attend rehab. Teammates pay tribute to 'best mate' Melbourne Football Club co-captain Nathan Jones said on Instagram he was "absolutely saddened" by news of Sylvia's death. "A tragedy, we're all still in shock! You were always a great person to my family and I," Jones said. "We had so many good times together." Former Melbourne teammate Brent Moloney also mourned the loss of a "best mate" in an Instagram post, where he said: "I'm gonna miss you brother x". Sylvia grew up in the Mildura region before moving to Bendigo in central Victoria, where he was drafted to play for the Melbourne Football Club in 2003. He played 157 games for Melbourne over his decade-long stint at the club, kicking 129 goals for the team before moving to Fremantle and retiring in 2015.<doc-sep>The AFL world is mourning the loss of Colin Sylvia after the ex-Melbourne and Fremantle player died in a car crash. The 32-year-old was involved in a two-vehicle collision on Sunday afternoon in Irymple, near Mildura, in Victoria’s northwest. Former Demons captain Garry Lyon confirmed the news on Monday morning. “Colin Sylvia has tragically been killed in a car accident near Mildura,” Lyon told SEN. The driver of the second vehicle was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and detectives are yet to determine the cause of the crash. Sylvia’s former Melbourne teammate Brent Moloney was shocked at his friend’s death. “Words can’t describe how I’m feeling,” Moloney tweeted along with a photograph of the pair walking outside the MCG. “We were always side by side no matter where we were. I’m gonna miss you brother.” Sylvia’s girlfriend Mindy Jory also posted a picture of the ex-AFL player on Monday morning and described him as “beautiful inside and out”. Former Melbourne star David Schwarz, who got to know Sylvia after travelling with the Demons for their 2010 exhibition game in China, said big things were expected of him after winning a seniors premiership with Merbein at age 15. “He was just a lad,” Schwarz told Macquarie Sports Radio. “He played 163 games and was good player ... but probably he liked life more than he loved his footy.” Lyon said Sylvia’s “talent and potential was never fulfilled” after being taken with pick No 3 in the 2003 national draft. Sylvia showed flashes of brilliance but injury, inconsistency and off-field controversies plagued his career. He was stripped of his place in the 2011 international rules series for leaving the scene of a car crash in South Melbourne and later crossed to Fremantle for a fresh start at the end of 2013. But the move flopped as Sylvia managed just six games for the Dockers in 2014 before being banished to the WAFL in 2015 for failing to live up to the club’s training standards. He called it quits not long after despite having more than a year left to run on his contract.<doc-sep>Former AFL star Colin Sylvia has died in a car crash at the age of 32. The former Melbourne and Fremantle star, 32, died at the scene of the collision in Irymple, in Victoria's far north-west, on Sunday at 2.20pm. A neighbour said there was 'absolute carnage' as Sylvia's car collided with another. 'It sounded like a truck hitting a wall. I was expecting a truck through a house it was that loud,' he told the Herald Sun. Former teammate Brent Moloney was first to announce the tragic news, mourning the loss of his 'best friend'. The ex-Melbourne star posted on social media that his friend, 32, was 'gone too soon' alongside a picture of of the two players outside the MCG. Former AFL star Brent Moloney has announced his 'best friend' and former teammate Colin Sylvia (pictured) has died in a car accident The ex-Melbourne star posted on social media that his friend, 32, was 'gone too soon' alongside a picture of of the two players outside the MCG Sylvia had recently started a relationship with Mildura legal receptionist Mindy Jory (pictured), who expressed her grief to followers by sharing a picture of the pair and captioning it with only a heart The couple appeared to have a deeply loving relationship, and spent weekends away as well as nights at home with Ms Jory's young son His girlfriend Mindy Jory, a legal receptionist in Mildura, shared a picture of Sylvia with her and her son, captioning the image with only a heart emoji. The couple had only begun dating recently, but posts to both his and her social media accounts showed a deeply loving relationship full of weekends away and a happy, family focused life. Victoria Police said the crash happened on Sunday at 2.20pm at the intersection of Nineteenth Street and Benetook Avenue. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The man who lived nearby the crash site told the Herald Sun the other driver had been 'walking around with blood on him', and the tray of his green twin cab ute had been ripped off. He said a green twin cab ute was upside down but the driver, believed to be 30 years old, escaped with minor injuries. 'There was mess everywhere. He was lucky to live I reckon,' the man said. A silver Commodore believed to have been driven by Sylvia was 'completely smashed in at the front'. Victoria Police were unable to comment on the cause of the collision to Daily Mail Australia, and a spokeswoman said it was 'under investigation'. Footy star Garry Lyon offered his condolences speaking on SEN Breakfast on Monday morning. 'Some of the details are a bit sketchy but a two-car collision up there,' he said. 'Colin was taken really early in the draft, I think pick number three, was a really talented footballer at the Melbourne footy club. 'Just one of those footballers where that talent and potential was never fulfilled, found his way to Fremantle and couldn't get settled over there either. 'He has had some off-field issues he has had to deal with along the way and tragically overnight, he has been killed in a car accident. 'Our condolences and sympathies are extended to Colin Sylvia and his family and friends.' Sylvia (left) spent 11 years playing in the AFL for Melbourne alongside Moloney (right),as well as the Fremantle Dockers, and was the former's leading vote-getter at the 2010 Brownlow Medal awards Irymple, where Sylvia was killed, is about 550km northwest of Melbourne, and 6km south of Mildura Sylvia's former manager, Ricky Nixon, said the 32-year-old was a 'unique talent'. 'Out of respect to Colin Sylvia’s family I’ll give footy a rest today,' he said on Twitter. 'I managed Col early days he was unique talent sadly now lost. My heart goes out to family & friends. Lost way too soon.' Former St Kilda star Sam Fisher was among many more former AFL players paying tribute to Sylvia online. 'Absolutely saddened to hear the news about Colin Sylvia! Same draft so spend bits and pieces of time with him and [he was] always one of the nicest and [would] come say hello!,' he wrote. 'Thoughts are with family and all those close to him!' Sylvia spent 11 years playing in the AFL for Melbourne and the Fremantle Dockers and was the former's leading vote-getter at the 2010 Brownlow Medal awards. He courted controversy earlier this year when he pleaded guilty to using stolen credit card details at a Melbourne brothel. Sylvia admitted buying two 'deluxe service' sessions with a sex worker, buying $164 worth of pornography, and putting $4,000 into an online betting account using the details, which he had swiped from a customer at the Renault dealership where he'd been working, The Australian reported. He was given a community corrections order in January, and appeared to have been making great strides in moving forward from his troubled past. Late last year, he pleaded guilty to filming his former partner sleeping after breaking into a vacant nearby apartment, just two days after a court order forbade him from contacting her. Police said Sylvia had breached the court order four times in the 48 hours after it was issued. Less than a year earlier, the football player had fallen from a balcony, injuring his head and neck. But it was not the first time he'd been in court for over his treatment of a love interest. In 2006, Sylvia faced court and was ordered not to assault, harass, threaten or intimidate the woman he had been dating following an early-morning incident. He also faced legal issues in 2011, when a car he was riding in as a passenger hit a power pole and he left the scene. The fatal crash took place on Sunday at 2.20pm at the intersection of Nineteenth Street and Benetook Avenue, police said Sylvia has a chequered past, with multiple court orders relating to his treatment of women<doc-sep>FOR all of his troubles off the field, there was no denying Colin Sylvia’s talent on it. But the former Melbourne and Fremantle player has been remembered first and foremost as someone who, in the words of former teammate Brad Green, “had a heart of gold”. “Col was a loveable larrikin,” Green told SEN. “He enjoyed his life on and off the field, but deep down he had a great heart. “Speaking to Anna my wife, he always had time for her and my two boys, he had plenty of time for fans and the people that he met. “It was just a tragedy and certainly gone too early in his life being only 32.” Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones echoed Green’s sentiments, painting Sylvia as a friend who was determined to get to know the families of his teammates. “You were always a great person to my family and I,” Jones said. “We had so many good times together.” ‘GONNA MISS YOU BROTHER’: TRIBUTES FLOW AFTER EX-DEES’ DEATH TRAGEDY: FORMER AFL STAR KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT Selected with Pick 3 in the 2003 draft, Sylvia struggled with life off the field, particularly once retired from footy. In January he was spared jail time, after pleading guilty to using stolen credit card details. Sylvia also admitted to climbing a building to film a woman as she slept. But it was believed the 32-year-old had begun to get his life back on track in the last six months. Sylvia was in a new relationship and had begun a new job. Colin Sylvia passed away on Sunday. Source: News Limited “He did have some troubles in his life, I think he found the transition away from footy a hard time and he did find it tough,” Green said. “People need a purpose in life and he probably didn’t find that when he finished up.” Green suggested injuries didn’t help Sylvia’s cause, but that he was always prone to “find a bit of trouble as well”. “He had a lot of injuries over his time when I certainly played with him, but he was most loveable larrikin off the field,” Green said. “He had a heart of gold.” Melbourne champion Garry Lyon remembered Sylvia as a gifted player, who never fully realised his talent. “He has had some off-field issues he has had to deal with along the way,” Lyon said. “Just one of those footballers where that talent and potential was never fulfilled, found his way to Fremantle and couldn’t get settled over there either.” Sylvia was killed in a car crash on Sunday near Mildura. He was 32.<doc-sep>
"My Son Colin Sylvia, how do l do this without you," she wrote. "So thankful for your Love. "Two things I do know, I love you, and I miss you so much my heart hurts." A local resident who lives on Nineteenth Street told Fairfax Media there had been multiple crashes at the intersection in the past decade but traffic islands had been installed in recent years and safety seemed to have improved. Another said locals considered it to be "pretty dangerous" as cars often fail to stop and give way, despite clear signs. The same intersection was the scene of two fatal car crashes almost a decade ago. A crash in May 2008 killed two men, and another in September 2008 killed an elderly couple. The shocking collisions prompted a Victorian coroner to recommend upgrading the intersection and to install more warning signage and traffic islands. Representatives from both of Sylvia's former clubs paid tribute to the player on Monday and extended their sympathies to those close to the former Melbourne and Fremantle player. Melbourne Football Club CEO Gary Pert said: "On behalf of the Melbourne Football Club, I would like to express my deepest compassion to the Sylvia family. “Our thoughts are with those closest to Colin, his teammates and the extended Melbourne faithful at this very difficult time. Colin was not only a great footballer but also a great character, who built many meaningful relationships across the entire club.” Fremantle president Dale Alcock said the club was saddened to hear the news. "On behalf of the players, coaches, staff and board of the Fremantle Football Club, we extend our deepest sympathy to Colin’s family and friends," he said. Former teammates and close friends have also taken to social media to pay tribute to Sylvia. "To my best mate, I still can’t believe it. Words can’t describe how I’m feeling!!! We were always side by side no matter where we were," wrote friend and former player Brent Moloney. "My thoughts go out to his beautiful family, I’m gonna miss you brother." The former midfielder went on to play 157 games for the Demons between 2004 and 2013 and a further six for Fremantle in 2014. Former AFL player agent Ricky Nixon said he was a "unique talent". "I managed Col early days he was unique talent sadly now lost. My heart goes out to family & friends. Lost way too soon," he wrote on social media. Lyon told SEN Breakfast that after a number of off-field issues, Sylvia had been getting his life back on track. “Colin was taken really early in the draft, I think pick number three, was a really talented footballer at the Melbourne footy club," he said. “Just one of those footballers where that talent and potential was never fulfilled, found his way to Fremantle and couldn’t get settled over there either. “He has had some off-field issues he has had to deal with along the way and tragically overnight, he has been killed in a car accident." Sylvia's girlfriend Mindy Jory posted a photo of the former player on Facebook on Monday morning, saying he was "so beautiful inside and out". Former Melbourne star David Schwarz told Macquarie Sports Radio that Sylvia had issues off the field but he was a "gifted" player. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video "Very, very, very sad, the news came through last night that Colin had passed away and it was disbelief, he was such a young man," he said. "At the age of 15 when he played in a senior grand final ... everyone thought this kid was going to be go on to be a superstar. "He played 163 games and was a good player... but probably he liked life more than he liked his footy, so he probably fell through a few cracks at Melbourne and then Fremantle, and I think the transition out of footy to life was really difficult for Col and he had a lot of battles away from the football field he was dealing with. He had a really tough journey especially after retirement." Sylvia grew up in nearby Merbein, making his debut for the seniors team in the Sunraysia Football League at just 15, helping the club take home the 2002 premiership. The former midfielder went on to play 157 games for the Demons between 2004 and 2013 and a further six for Fremantle in 2014.