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Sylvia retirement a blow to high-flying Thunder

Stuart HortonWeekend Kwinana Courier

SECOND placed Peel Thunder has been a dealt blow with Colin Sylvia set to return to Melbourne following his immediate retirement from the AFL.

Sylvia (29) announced his retirement this afternoon, with the Fremantle Dockers agreeing to the defender's immediate departure.

The 163-game veteran played in three of Peel's five WAFL games this season, having missed the season opener against West Perth and last weekend's record-breaking win over Claremont after suffering concussion against East Perth a week earlier.

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He will now return home to Melbourne, ending his short association with both clubs.

Sylvia was sent to train with the Thunder in February after the Dockers determined he had not met the physical requirements to play AFL football.

At the time of his demotion, Dockers general manager of football operations Chris Bond said training and playing with Peel would provide Sylvia the chance to refocus on getting back to the required level to play in the AFL.

"Colin has been working through a number of issues, including whether he was able to achieve and sustain the physical requirements needed to train and play at the elite level," Bond said.

"It is never an easy decision but, after discussions between Colin, his management and the club, it was agreed that his long-term interests would be best served by retiring from the AFL."

Sylvia was recruited by the Dockers at the end of the 2013 season as an unrestricted free agent, but only managed to play six games for the club.