AFL 2021: Adam Treloar booed by Collingwood supporters on Western Bulldogs debut

Western Bulldogs recruit Adam Treloar has been booed by Collingwood supporters in his first game for his new club against his former team.

The 28-year was traded by the Magpies to the Bulldogs in the off-season after a messy split following the relocation of wife and Queensland Firebirds star Kim Ravaillion.

Despite Collingwood choosing to move Treloar to a different club against his original wishes, Magpie fans still booed their former star when he first went near the ball during Friday night’s match at the MCG.

Treloar answered the discontent from the Magpie fans by setting up a goal with his first touch of the ball, gathering the ball on the wing, composing himself before hitting Aaron Naughton lace out on the chest inside 50 – who duly converted.

The reaction from Collingwood fans was a far cry from the reception he received from ex-teammate Tyler Brown prior to the first bounce, with the pair sharing a warm embrace before the match started.

Treloar’s promising start to his Bulldogs career helped the team to a three-goal lead early in the match – with Collingwood pinned deep inside their defensive 50 for most of the first quarter.

In an interview witrh Fox Footy during the week, Treloar opened on the saga behind his move from the Magpies to the Bulldogs.

The midfielder spoke about why Collingwood wanted to move on – revealing the reasons were centred around how he would cope with his mental health after Ravaillion’s move north.

He also spoke of the pride he had in Ravaillion’s resilience in dealing with his absence last year – when he was in the Collingwood at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Just disappointed [with the Magpies reasons], you know, because throughout all of last year – Kim being pregnant, and going through everything she went through with her own mental health,” Treloar said.

“She took time away from the game before the pregnancy and fell out of love with netball, and then became pregnant and really appreciated the game again and really pushed herself to get back.

“I watched that closely and from afar, and it was just motivating, and I absolutely loved it. It’s what pushed me through every day and got me through the hub, being able to see Kim and my daughter.

“And then for it to get turned on her, the whole re-signing at Queensland, coming back and being able to now train and play in a couple of months at the highest level.

“To have that used against her and turned into a story with me, that was probably the most hurtful thing, because the story it should’ve been was this incredible woman who sacrificed her body for nine months to have Georgie and not play at the professional level, to then make a comeback and sign for a club where she’s wanted to play for for such a long time.

“For her to do that and for that message to get missed was really, really challenging for me.”