Lovebirds make it work

Ex- Magpie Treloar insists distance no tyranny for ‘ Dogs commitments

ADAM Treloar has made clear to the Western Bulldogs he won’t need special treatment or extra time away from the club as partner Kim Ravaillion and daughter Georgie move to Queensland in January.

The ex- Pies midfielder was traded to the Dogs with Collingwood believing he would quickly fall apart with his family living in another state. But not only are the Dogs confident he and Kim can cope with a long- distance relationship for 12 months, he isn’t even their first player with a Queensland Firebirds partner.

Ruckman Tim English has been going out with Firebirds netballer Rudi Ellis for some years, with the former Melbourne Vixens player joining the Queensland side at the start of this year. Josh Dunkley’s sister Lara is also a star Queensland Firebirds player.

If state borders had remained closed, Treloar’s ability to fly north at times might have been more challenging.

But he and Ravaillion will find time in their schedules to meet up during split rounds and breaks in seasons.

Western Bulldogs head of football Chris Maple told the

Mercury as professional athletes, Treloar and Ravaillion would make it work.

“Adam and Kim have already worked it out,” he said.

“Our player welfare guys will help him when he needs it and I would imagine our football admin staff will be booking flights back and forth for them to see each other.

“All that was worked out before already the Bulldogs were on the ( trade) scene. If you look at Mitch Starc and Alyssa Healy, he is on the road all the time and they have been in ( COVID) bubbles recently.”

Treloar will sign a five- year deal with the Dogs, with Collingwood expected to contribute around $ 300,000 of that $ 900,000- per- season contract. The Dogs can configure his $ 4.5 million salary obligation any way they see fit.

The Bulldogs yesterday made a trio of list changes, with Ben Cavarra, Will Hayes and Roarke Smith delisted.

They have committed to redrafting Smith – most likely as a rookie but potentially on the senior list – while Cavarra and Hayes might still be rookie- listed.

Hayes played nine impressive games in the back- end of 2019 but only two this year.