ADAM Treloar has confirmed Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley told him senior teammates wanted him to leave the club.
SEN.com.au and Trade Radio exclusively revealed Buckley’s shock conversation last week, which was quickly denied by Buckley.
“Absolute fact”...news to me Sam. The constant rumour and innuendo is disrespectful to Adam, the club and our supporters,” Buckley tweeted.
But Treloar, who was last night forced out of the Magpies in the last minute of the exchange period, used his first day at the Western Bulldogs to lift the lid on the shocking lengths Collingwood went to force him out.
Asked if Buckley had told him senior players wanted him gone, Treloar said: “That was told to me in no uncertain way.
“That did hurt because I know how close I am with the players and to be told that when I don’t think that’s the truth and to be told that there’s some players who don’t want you there when I know the majority love me and care for me, that did hurt a bit.
“I just don’t think that was the truth. I don’t think that was the reality. “They were adamant about moving me on and no matter how they were going to go about it that was going to happen. It was a fight up until the end because I wanted to stay at Collingwood.
“I think they were up for a fight to move me on and anything was going to be said to move me on. I didn’t think that was the truth.
“I’ve spoken to a number of players and the majority of players have sent me messages of love and support.”
Collingwood last night traded Treloar and two second-round picks to the Bulldogs in exchange for the Dogs’ pick 14 and a future second-round selection after a desperate campaign to force him out.
Treloar had adjusted his contract multiple times at the Pies’ behest and as a result, given the heavily back-ended nature of the deal, stands to earn $750,000 next season and $900,000 a season until the end of 2025.
It’s understood the Bulldogs will pay Treloar $600,000 a year until 2025, forcing Collingwood to pay a total of $1.5 million over that time just to see the back of him in a staggering chain of events that has angered Pies supporters.
Collingwood list manager Ned Guy last night denied Treloar’s salary was the reason the club wanted to trade him.
Speaking at the Whitten Oval, Treloar said he had “mixed feelings” about leaving the Pies.
“I still had it in my mind I was going to finish my career at Collingwood,” Treloar said.
“One thing I’m going to miss is the love and passion I got from the Collingwood supporters.
“I’m sorry to all the no.7s out there. I love and care for you all and I appreciate the support you have given me.”