Star midfielder Adam Treloar has met with the Western Bulldogs as he moves closer towards an increasingly likely exit from Collingwood before Thursday’s AFL trade deadline.
Treloar, who has five years left on a bumper contract, is resigned to leaving the Magpies as they look to ease salary cap pressure.
The 27-year-old has had serious hamstring issues in the past and is believed to have been set to undergo a medical assessment with the Bulldogs on Tuesday.
He could soon be headed to Whitten Oval on a permanent basis.
Collingwood would likely have to play a portion of Treloar’s salary – which is reportedly in the region of $900,000 a year – to get the deal done and free up space in their cap.
Treloar’s fiance, Kim Ravaillion, will play the Super Netball season with the Queensland Firebirds next season.
But Treloar wants to play football in Melbourne at a club capable of achieving premiership success.
Few Victorian clubs have expressed serious interest in trading for him, largely due to his hefty price tag.
St Kilda, big players in the trade period over the past 12 months, have ruled themselves out of contention, while Hawthorn and Carlton are also unlikely to pursue Treloar.
But Bulldogs list manager Sam Power previously said they would “monitor the situation” with Treloar throughout the trade period.
Treloar could potentially be the central figure in a larger deal that sees wantaway Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley get his wish for a move to Essendon.
However, the Bulldogs are reportedly of the belief that they can separate the two deals.
Treloar has played 94 games for Collingwood since picking the Magpies ahead of Richmond when he left Greater Western Sydney at the end of 2015.
He played 10 games this year, averaging 26.9 disposals – more than any other Collingwood player.