Adam Treloar’s impact in the red, white and blue this season has not gone unnoticed.
The 28-year-old arrived at the Kennel in the final-minute of last year’s deadline day, and while most were pleased with the new recruit, some had their concerns.
‘How will the Bulldogs squeeze him into their already star-studded midfield?’
Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Josh Dunkley, and Bailey Smith were names already floating through the middle – so where would Treloar fit?
It didn’t take long for those doubts to be eliminated however, with Treloar making his Dogs’ debut in the 2021 season opener against his former club, Collingwood.
He couldn’t have complimented the midfield mix any better - collecting 18 possessions (10 contested) and five clearances.
Treloar continued to have an impact in his next eight games, averaging 27 touches, five tackles and 3.8 clearances to go with seven goals.
An ankle syndesmosis injury in round 10 sidelined him for just over two months, before returning to the action against Essendon in round 21, recording 22 disposals and seven marks in his first game back.
He played a starring role in the Bulldogs’ 49-point elimination final win, with 28 touches and five tackles.
And while critics were quick to judge his quieter performance in the semi-final against Brisbane, a 23-disposal, nine-tackle and one-goal outing against Port Adelaide proved he hadn’t gone anywhere.
Treloar managed another 27 possessions to go with three goals in the Grand Final – on the biggest stage of all – and looks primed to continue his form into season 2022 and beyond.
BY THE NUMBERS: Treloar’s 2021 season
Games: 17
Goals: 13
Average disposals: 23.2 (elite)
Average clearances: 3.2
Average tackles: 4.3
Average inside-50s: 3.8
Average metres gained: 324.6m
