2020 was a tough year for everyone and one we hope to never see the likes of again.
Pandemics, isolation, social distancing and panic all ruined it, yet the Collingwood Football Club’s year went from bad to worse once on-field play ceased.
Put bluntly, it was the off-season from hell for the famous club. It was one marred by heartless treatment of loyal players, stubborn resistance to blatant facts that confirmed cultural flaws and the egocentric departure of its president.
Any other AFL club looking for a bit of heat or attention to be diverted away from it had their hope fulfilled by the media mauling rightfully dished out to the Magpies.
Fans of those clubs now have further galvanised negative attitudes towards Collingwood; attitudes that have been brought on by the club itself after one of the most significant AFL public relations and brand management failings of recent times.
After 94 games with Collingwood and a heart committed to serving the club up until his day of retirement, Adam Treloar suffered in club-induced limbo for five weeks leading up to the November 12th trade deadline for 2020.
Despite his honesty and insistence that he wished to remain a Pie for the foreseeable future, the club failed to transparently confess to the salary cap issues it had created and made the subsequent decision to release players they felt were expendable and provided the financial relief required.
Originally, Treloar was informed by coach Nathan Buckley that ‘senior players’ did not want him at the club. The reasoning shifted soon after when Treloar’s mental health challenges of the past and his wife’s decision to sign a contract with the Queensland Firebirds and return to netball were both stirred into a pot of innuendo and suggestion.
The brew was ultimately used in conversations between Buckley and Treloar and the clear suggestion made that there was a fear the player would not cope with his partner’s absence.
Treloar has confirmed those conversations took place and spoke candidly on AFL360 on Tuesday night to do so.
To his credit, while admitting to feeling pain and hurt, Treloar resisted any temptation to lay blame, insult or attack those whose grubby actions and unwillingness to be honest and upfront led to his trade to the Western Bulldogs.
Apparently Buckley addressed his existing playing group upon their return from the off-season break, citing the failings of the trade period and a need for things to be done better in the future.
It was no doubt something of an apology intended to placate the playing group and ensure trust and loyalty were not to be issues with them in 2021.
It wasn’t the first time that Buckley has apologised in recent months. He did the same in early March, soon after the results of the internal racism report into Collingwood were leaked, citing a 2017 press conference where his comments around the mental health and claims of racism by former player Heritier Lumumba were dismissive at best.
That matter and others, were the triggers for the report and as if guided by a work experience media manager, Collingwood President Eddie McGuire somehow found it linguistically possible to suggest that the leaked results confirming systemic racial problems at the club were cause to laud the day as a ‘proud’ one.
Despite fans of rival AFL clubs having no shortage of stories, incidents and moments with which to fuel their dislike of Collingwood, those offensive words must have seen the bile rising in the throats of even the most already bias and anti-Collingwood people.
Adam Treloar is now a Bulldog (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
However, the off-season public relations train wreck was to continue towards one more stop, when McGuire finally stepped down from his position on the 9th of February, despite insisting he would see out 2021 just days earlier.
As is so often the case with McGuire and surprisingly for a man who has spent much of his life using words as tools, his loose language had drastically misread the room with his feelings of pride around the report.
In a dramatic turnaround, he became far more sorry than proud and unsuccessfully attempted to spin his departure speech to leave the stage as a hero and winner.
He failed dismally, just as Collingwood Football Club has done over the course of the break between the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
All AFL fans should feel a little sick about the findings of the report. AFL players should take heed of the treatment dished out to Treloar and the collective football community should reflect on the deception used to do so.
For all the talk about having to be better, the club has shown itself at its absolute worst over the last six months and given everyone yet another reason to dislike Collingwood.
Waddster
Roar Rookie
So recruitment is an issue. Not trying to get better players or make the recruits better?
Waddster
Roar Rookie
So is the recruiting the problem or the training? Is the leadership from the top an issue? Where is the disconnect? Why weren't changes made within the club to address the losses? Self satisfied to get that close?
ScottD
Roar Guru
To answer the question in the headline : about 6 minutes
Benno
Guest
It might help your argument to actually tell us what these recent efforts are, and, to flip your argument, why they should overrule the findings of the Do Better report?
Chris
Guest
Typos: Grand* I* ; recall*.
Chris
Guest
Waddster-to answer your questions accurately:- 1. Most of the times their sides made it to grand Finals through pure grit rather than brilliance; 2. Collingwood six-footers tells you that they never recruited outstanding key-position players but flankers, for their flashiness, who would be found out on the big stage; 3. No great rovers that i can reecall but slower ruck-rover types playing as rovers; 4. The four worst Grand Final Loses were 1964; 1966; 1970; 1977 when arguably they should have won other than those the rest can be explained by 1-3.
Waddster
Roar Rookie
Why has Collingwood lost 17 grand finals from 21 grand finals in 62 years? Surely it comes down to culture? Were they always the underdog? Or were they always too confident? Is the expectation of the fans too much? I've been a Tigers fan forever, but only since the recent run have i found out about the transformation through books like Yellow and Black and the club talking about the work they have done. I think the supporters now believe that the Tigers will win not fold. The organisation has transformed and the important thing is that it is about making better people, not just better footballers. Collingwood worships the players. Collingwood worshipped Eddie, who was looking out only for Collingwood, not for the betterment of the game. Without transformation they will continue to have disappointment. ALL clubs have had racism issues. Some have addressed them, all are no doubt working on dealing with the past. Collingwood is dealing with the issue, but a new president is going to need to build a different kind of club that will bring change for supporters
Chris
Guest
Typo: to*
Chris
Guest
Predictions: 6-8 wins this year at most; Buckley gone by June/July; Daicos to be recruited in November; Pendlebury tio step down; Grundy to be traded if his form doesn't improve; De Goey might be gone, too; Serious financial woes in the offing. That is journalism Mr. Thomas.
Chris
Guest
This year already resembles 1982 when Tommy Hafey was unceremoniously sacked.Buckley's season may be cut short by the board since all his backers are gone. I don't think the league ladder as it stands will change much between now and September. The only two teams that will rise up the ladder are Hawthorn and Brisbane once they get going. This year is a rebuild and that is no understatement. Besides, Pendlebury will be gone by the end of the year. He looks out of sorts and unable to maintain lengthy periods of onflield influence. As for Collingwood haters, they are miserable losers that need to get a life. I have supported Lully Street for 62 years and am proud of it. I don't approve of our management and that has prevented us from being unrivalled Kings. As for hatred, I thought Richmond was top of the pops for that. They are on their way for premiership number 14 and 4 in five years. It's just the tall poppy syndrome that has blighted Australia for so long and the writer of this article ought to reflect on more important issues than Adam Treloar. Please focus on real football issues such as game plans, good and poor recruiting, coaching, reports and injuries etc. Kindly improve your journalism Mr. Thomas. This is not an expert opinion but a cheap shot lacking culture refinement and decency!
asd
Guest
Im not a pies man but they wont stay down for long .Ed may not be on the board but he still has his hand in there somewhere .
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
As a youngster, I also disliked Collingwood, caught up in the hype of bs. But, with maturity, I came to realise that the hatred of Collingwood probably came from its success. They made many, many grand finals although winning much fewer than it lost. But I am so annoyed at the rubbish that has been directed at Collingwood recently, supposedly supported by an academic publication which I view as almost pathetic in terms of its approach and conclusion. As someone with a PhD and producing a number of academic publications, I am appalled that the Do Better report is accepted as gospel, and somehow overrules Collingwood’s real recent effort to address racism. While I am an Essendon supporter, I will be indeed hoping Collingwood does well this year.
Gary David
Roar Rookie
I'm disappointed a Roar Expert would use such a provocative headline and write an article with such a negative outlook. As a Collingwood fan I want to share a few things: 1. Eddie McGuire is not affiliated with the CFC now, it was time, he stepped down, it's good that he left. 2. Collingwood chose to make the 'Do Better' report happen. The report itself says its commendable Collingwood is holding up a mirror to itself and wants to change. 3. I admire Buckley admitting he was dismissive of Lumumba in 2017, wrongs were made, horrible ones, but what can Collingwood do TODAY? They are making right decisions now and I sincerely hope good long-term changes will result. 4. Collingwood stuffed up their communication in the trade period and didn't treat Treloar well. But no player is untouchable and part of the reason it was so difficult on Treloar, as he admitted on 360, was that he didn't expect to be forced out. Players want freedom of movement with free agency, etc (Treloar chose Colingwood over Richmond when coming from GWS after all) it needs to go both ways. Clubs can move players on suddenly too.
FabPhil
Roar Rookie
FabPhil
Roar Rookie
Agree with Treloar being a fantastic bloke and wish him all the best at the Dogs but considering his disposal efficiency, 11 effective kicks would be a start.
Mr Speaker
Guest
The one about how thrilled we are as taxpayers to be funding both sides of that defamation suit was my favourite. Betoota know the pulse of the nation better than anything else I've read.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
We at Hawthorn are gentle folk who used to carry our picnic baskets to games until the league made us buy their food and drink. It turned us into Essendon like supporters, too much sugar and salt I imagine
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
And I can’t believe that you are all still clearly interested in Eddie’s opinion! He is just a Pies fan in the crowd now yet the media still chase his thoughts and you all still gravitate to comment on them? Eddie should have stepped away for a year at least. He was not absent long enough. Surely he can live off his millions for a bit in his Toorak mansion and go to ground longer? Must be a contract clause in his TV gigs surely.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Still has time to sue the ABC. Surprised he's not suing the Betoota Advocate with all their headlines about Paid Leave Porter. "Paid Leave Porter Takes A Break From Squeezing Supermarket Avocados To Sue ABC For Defamation"
Mr Speaker
Guest
Yes, poor paid leave Porter. Must be tough having the taxpayer fund your leave. Woe is him.