New Western Bulldogs star Adam Treloar is in doubt for the blockbuster opening season match against former club Collingwood after picking up an injury.
The 27-year-old has persistent calf tightness that has kept him absent from the Bulldogs' recent match simulations over the last week and is likely to miss the two practice matches scheduled across the end of February and early March
Despite Treloar's consistent injury problems, Bulldogs head medico Chris Bell insisted the former Magpie is on track to take on his former club in the first round of the season on March 19 - but revealed they would be taking a conservative approach with the on-baller.
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"With Adam's history of soft-tissue injuries, we're taking a conservative approach with him at this stage of the pre-season," Bell said.
"We have been proactive with managing Adam's calf tightness over the past fortnight. His recovery is progressing and we anticipate he will return to full training over the next couple of weeks."
Treloar was traded by Collingwood to the Bulldogs during the 2020 AFL trade period after the former decided he was surplus to requirements in their engine room.
The Magpies will be paying a large portion of Treloar's deal at Whitten Oval over the next five years, with the player to be 32 years age when the contract expires.
Treloar revealed Collingwood told him that the other senior players didn't want him at the club, however he wasn't so sure that was the truth.
"Yeah it is what you read – that was told to me in no uncertain way,” Treloar said after moving to the Bulldogs.
"That did hurt because I know how close I am with the players. To be told that when I don’t think that’s the truth and to be told that when I know the majority of players love me, that hurts a bit.
"They were adamant on moving me on. No matter how they were going to go about it, it was going to happen.
"I’ve spoken to a number of players and the majority of players have sent me messages of love and support. I don’t think that was the truth, I don’t think that was the reality.
"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.”
Treloar missed significant chunks of the 2018 and 2020 seasons with soft-tissue injuries.
