Collingwood considered Suns-Treloar trade

COLLINGWOOD considered an audacious play by Gold Coast to lure star midfielder Adam Treloar to the Suns.

News Corp can reveal the secret talks between the two clubs in the second half of the season were abandoned after Treloar emphatically refused to entertain the trade.

The Suns’ stunning recruiting raid came after Treloar had put pen to paper on a lucrative four-year contract extension in July.

The new deal has not been made public by Collingwood, but it ties the onballer — previously contracted through to 2021 — to the club until the end of 2025.

While the trade is now dead, the Suns’ approach shows the battling club is sick of its own list being plundered and is eager to initiate its own recruiting raids as it charts a path up the ladder.

The Treloar conversation started when Collingwood asked Gold Coast what it would take for them to part with their prized No.1 pick.

The Suns have never had any intention of parting with a first selection they are desperate to use on Victorian wonderkid Matt Rowell.

But it was in those discussions that Treloar’s name was raised. There are conflicting versions around which club raised the idea first, but multiple sources said the Pies considered the trade “for a little bit”.

It’s understood that slight delay didn’t sit well with Treloar, who has repeatedly spoken of his love for Collingwood, his teammates and coach Nathan Buckley.

Still only 26 and an eightyear star of the competition, Treloar gathered the most disposals in the AFL this year (789) at an average of just under 33 per game.

He was fourth in Collingwood’s Copeland Trophy count after finishing third in 2017 and second in 2016 — his first year at the Pies after crossing from Greater Western Sydney.

Treloar this year bravely disclosed his battle with anxiety, admitting he has struggled offfield in recent seasons with the pressure to perform.

“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 told Fox Footy earlier this year.