Collingwood star Adam Treloar has revealed his mental health struggles that plagued him during the 2018 season, almost forcing the midfielder to quit the game.
Treloar had a great year on-field, helping the Pies to their first Grand Final since 2011, before heartbreak in the decider, but it was off-field where the dynamic 26-year-old was struggling.
It began in a spa, where surrounded by teammates, Treloar dunked his head under the water to hide the tears in his eyes.
It is one of the many stories that Treloar shares of his struggles in the documentary Collingwood: From The Inside Out, which details the lives of Nathan Buckley, Brodie Grundy, Jarryd Blair and Treloar throughout the 2018 year.
MORE: Brad Hill set to request a trade away from FremantleThe midfielder opens up about his battle with anxiety, and did so again on Tuesday night on Fox Footy’s AFL360.
Speaking on the program, Treloar explained to Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson how a hamstring injury that occurred in Round 14 of 2018 was almost a good thing to get him away from the game.
“I remember if it wasn’t for my partner Kimmy, for Nick Maxwell, Bucks, Jacqui [Louder] who is my psych/really, really good friend and my family, I probably wouldn’t be playing footy to be honest with you,” Treloar said.
“I was at a point last year where the hamstring injury was a blessing in disguise for me because I was at the end. That’s the brutal truth. I almost wanted to stop playing.
“If it wasn’t for them guys, the love and support from my teammates (I would have stopped playing). I love those guys; I love the Collingwood Football Club; I’m always going to be a black and white man. I absolutely love the place — still have my struggles — but from where I am 12 months ago I am that far ahead.”
Treloar, who has played 79 games for the Pies since moving back home from GWS, said he hoped the documentary would highlight how footballers are just humans, and go through similar struggles to many others.
“I think it is important that people outside of footy understand that we are human beings. You deal with so much; you deal with anxiety on performance, expectation on performance, people ridiculing you, people judging you as a person the way you are as a player,” he said.
“I think that’s the furthest thing from everything, because a lot of the time when you cross that white line you are generally a different person because you’re ferocious, you’re competitive and when you step off the field you’re a different person.
“I love everyone; I’m a lover not a fighter. I care for everyone. I want everyone to love me, that’s how I am. I know I’m not going to be universally liked.”
Collingwood: From The Inside Out will premiere at the Melbourne Film Festival next Thursday night, and will screen on Tuesday, 3 September, 9.30pm on ABC and ABC iview.
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