Did Adam Treloar really disrespect Richmond?

Adam Treloar caused a stir by saying he chose Collingwood over Richmond because they have a younger and better list.

Tigers supporters were up in air at that thought with former AFL great Kevin Bartlett labelling Treloar delusional. Really, for having an opinion?

Treloar made the move from Greater Western Sydney to Collingwood during the AFL trade period, after receiving significant offers from Richmond and North Melbourne. But he decided that the Pies were for him.

He was asked the question and instead of ducking and weaving as is the case with interviews these days he revealed exactly how he was thinking.

Just because it doesn’t sit with Bartlett’s Richmond-centric commentary on his morning radio show on SEN, does he really need to shut down Treloar as delusional?

At the end of the day it’s one man’s view of the situation and maybe Tigers supporters and former greats shouldn’t be so precious. For years non-Richmond supporters have gone to games against them to hear Tigers supporters voice their opinions and haven’t reacted to it like we have seen this week.

Treloar is a young man who has the right to decide what is the right move for him and his family. And he clearly decided that Collingwood’s list was a perfect fit for him.

Time will tell if it is the correct call or not.

Nathan Buckley’s decision to leave Brisbane to go to Collingwood in the early 1990s also has no relevance to Treloar’s decision.

Buckley will live with his decision and missing out on three premierships, but he still enjoyed a glittering career and played finals football with the Magpies. Bartlett taking a shot at Collingwood’s failures over the past is a bit rich coming from a Richmond supporter.

Richmond have a very good list and I don’t agree with Treloar’s comment, but he is entitled to his opinion. Is Bartlett the guy who claimed that Treloar was Tigers bound during the trade period? Sour grapes, perhaps?

Treloar will join former teammate Taylor Adams, Levi Greenwood and former Lion James Aish in a new midfield group in 2016, attempting to finish higher then the 12th position Collingwood in 2015 with 10 wins.

“I never once had a dig at Richmond, I thanked them heaps for there interest and effort in me and I wish them nothing but the best [sic],” Treloar tweeted.

“I got asked the question why I choose to play for the pies, and of course people are going to disagree with me because people have different opinions, it’s human nature [sic].

“But don’t judge me as a person because of a game that only takes up such a small part of my life. ITS JUST A GAME [sic].

“So much more important things in life then football [sic]. i.e Family/Friends, tragic events that happened in Paris. (The) Passing of Jonah Lomu at such a young age.

“Think about your priorities and the stuff that is going on in the world, rather than having a crack at someone over a game that we play.

“I’m very grateful for my opportunity to play for the Collingwood Football Club.”

Richmond supporters need to relax and focus on the 2016 season and not get caught up with this stuff, because when the ball is bounced to start 2016 no one will even care.

The race for the premiership will be well and truly on. Bartlett has used this attack on Adam Treloar for his own personal reasons, and there is nothing to see here.