HAS a free agent ever flopped as badly as Colin Sylvia did at Fremantle?

Sylvia retired on Tuesday little more than one year into a lucrative three-season deal with the Dockers that netted just six senior games.

That return reads disastrously enough on its own.

But when the former Demon was banished to Freo's WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder in February for failing to meet fitness standards, Ross Lyon said the Dockers would review their entire recruiting processes.

Fremantle and Sylvia: A marriage made in hell

In three years of free agency, no other player has been such a bust.

But which other free agents have bombed at their new clubs? And who has delivered?

AFL.com.au has cast an eye over free agency's first three crops and below nominates the misses and hits, while giving a progress report on those who need more time to prove themselves.

MISSES

1. Colin Sylvia (unrestricted, Melbourne to Fremantle, 2012).

Hopes were high that Ross Lyon could get the best out of 2003's No.3 draft pick when Sylvia joined the Dockers on a lucrative three-year deal, but his stint at Fremantle was an unmitigated disaster. The former Demon's inability to meet the off-field standards demanded by Lyon sealed his fate after little more than a season and six unremarkable games.

2. Chris Knights (unrestricted, Adelaide to Richmond, 2012)

The former Crow's fragile body has limited him to just six senior games since he signed a three-year deal with the Tigers at the end of 2012. When he returned from injury to play his first AFL game since early 2013 in round three this year, Knights suffered a severe hamstring injury that will sideline him until the second half of 2015, giving the 28-year-old little time to push for a new contract.

3. Clinton Young (unrestricted, Hawthorn to Collingwood, 2012)

The wingman had his injury troubles at Hawthorn but at his best was an important member of Alastair Clarkson's powerhouse team with his run and lethal left foot. Hamstring troubles limited him to two games in 2013 and he was underwhelming in 19 games last season. The 29-year-old is yet to play this season and is out of contract at the end of the year.

4. Quinten Lynch (unrestricted, West Coast to Collingwood, 2012)

The Magpies recruited the former Eagle as a cheap replacement for Chris Dawes but Lynch had little impact as a forward/ruckman in his two seasons at Collingwood. He kicked just nine goals from 18 games in 2013 and did not play a senior game in an injury-hit 2014.

5. Brent Moloney (restricted, Melbourne to Brisbane Lions, 2012)

Moloney appealed to the Lions as an experienced midfielder who could take some of the inside load off their young on-ball brigade, but the former Cat and Demon couldn't deliver. Played 16 games in 2013 to finish eighth in the Lions' best and fairest award, but after playing the first five rounds last year spent the rest of the season in the NEAFL before retiring.

6. Shannon Byrnes (unrestricted, Geelong to Melbourne, 2012)

Although the two-time premiership Cat was recruited partly to mentor the Demons' youngsters, his on-field output was limited to 23 games and 17 goals in two seasons.

Miss: Quinten Lynch struggled to make an impact during his time in black and white. Picture: AFL Media



HITS

1. Lance Franklin (restricted, Hawthorn to Sydney Swans, 2013)

Although the success of Franklin's move to the Swans might best be judged nearer the end of his nine-year megadeal, the spearhead has more than lived up to his superstar billing so far. Won last year's Coleman Medal with 67 goals and quickly formed a damaging partnership with fellow tall Kurt Tippett. Also finished second in the Brownlow Medal, third in the Swans' best and fairest award and was the club's best player in the Grand Final loss to the Hawks.

2. Brendon Goddard (restricted, St Kilda to Essendon, 2012)

The former Saint has been a star for the Bombers in the midfield and as a pinch-hitting forward. He won Essendon's best and fairest award in his first season at the club and finished third last year, and has kicked 37 goals from his 46 games. Has started 2015 in a similar vein and is contracted to the end of next season.

3. Eddie Betts (restricted, Carlton to Adelaide, 2013)

The former Blue kicked a career-best 51 goals in his first season at Adelaide, while his speed and freakish goal sense added an instant buzz to the Crows' forward line. Betts also laid more tackles (74) than any other Adelaide forward last year and was an All Australian nominee. The 28-year-old has kicked 10 goals from this year's first four rounds.

4. Nick Dal Santo (restricted, St Kilda to North Melbourne, 2013)

The Roos recruited Dal Santo hoping he would add polish through the midfield and across half-back and the former Saint delivered in spades last year. Dal Santo finished sixth in North's 2014 best and fairest award and was outstanding in the semi-final win over Geelong. He is sidelined until the second half of this season after recent hamstring surgery, but has been remarkably durable over his career and is confident of returning to his best.

5. Troy Chaplin (restricted, Port Adelaide to Richmond, 2012)

The former Power key defender has bolstered the Tigers' backline just as they hoped he would when they signed him to a four-deal at the end of 2012. Finished third in the club's best and fairest award in 2013 and sixth last year, and has teamed well with fellow key defender Alex Rance.

6. Danyle Pearce (restricted, Port Adelaide to Fremantle, 2012)

A good example of needs-based recruiting paying off, Pearce has given the Dockers the pace and class ball use they needed through the midfield. Has not missed a game since joining Freo and finished ninth in its best and fairest award last year.

7. Matt White (unrestricted, Richmond to Port Adelaide, 2013)

The Power were looking to inject pace into their midfield after their encouraging 2013 finals series but didn't want to break the bank – and White fitted the bill on both fronts. A journeyman at Richmond who was often used as substitute, White played a career-high 22 games last year, including all three Port finals, and kicked a personal-best 25 goals. Has not missed a game this year.

8. Jared Rivers (unrestricted, Melbourne to Geelong, 2012)

Recruited to help cover the retirement of Matthew Scarlett, Rivers played just 10 games in his first season at Geelong because of knee injuries. But he has since become a valuable member of the Cats' backline, teaming well with fellow talls Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan. Finished sixth in Geelong's 2014 best and fairest award.

Hit: Lance Franklin looks like he'll be worth his massive deal at the Swans. Picture: AFL Media



TOO EARLY TO CALL

1. Dale Thomas (restricted, Collingwood to Carlton, 2013)

The former Pie had a solid first year at Ikon Park and appeared set for a strong 2015 after overcoming his longstanding ankle problems this pre-season. However, he suffered a shoulder injury in the opening minute of the Blues' round one loss to Richmond and is still three weeks away from resuming. Given Thomas' lucrative pay packet – understood to be more than $700,000 a season – he needs to produce close to his outstanding 2010-11 form over the final three years of his contract to be considered a 'hit'. It is also questionable whether the rebuilding Blues were wise to invest in a player who might be past his best when they are again contending.

Who knows? Dale Thomas still has time on his side at Carlton. Picture: AFL Media



2. James Frawley (unrestricted, Melbourne to Hawthorn, 2014)

After an encouraging club debut in round one against Geelong, Frawley went down with a pectoral injury early in the round two loss to Essendon and won't return for another four or five weeks. The former Demon's ability to hold down a key post in defence will be crucial to the Hawks' fortunes over the next four years, especially once Brian Lake retires.

3. Nick Malceski (unrestricted, Sydney Swans to Gold Coast, 2014)

The Suns have had a horror start to 2015 and Malceksi has struggled too, at times lacking the composure he was renowned for over 10 seasons at the Swans. The 2014 All Australian might be 30 but he is far too good a player to write off just yet.

4. Shaun Higgins (restricted, Western Bulldogs to North Melbourne, 2014)

The former Bulldog has enjoyed a strong start at Arden Street, averaging 20 possessions in his first four games and kicking seven goals. The forward/midfielder looks set to add the class North was hoping for.

5. Jarrad Waite (unrestricted, Carlton to North Melbourne, 2014)

Waite leads the Roos' goalkicking after four rounds with 10 majors but was held goalless in North's two losses, to Adelaide and Port Adelaide. If the former Blue can narrow the gap between his best and worst performances, he will be a key player for the Roos over the next two seasons.

Vote on 2015's big-name free agents at the free agency hub