Adam Treloar is expected to make his Western Bulldogs debut against his former club, Collingwood, in the opening round of the 2021 AFL season.
Key points:
- The Bulldogs will play Collingwood at the MCG in the first Friday night match of the season
- The Magpies traded Treloar to the Bulldogs last month
- Defending premiers Richmond will open the season against Carlton at the MCG
Treloar endured a messy exit from the Magpies when he was offloaded to the Bulldogs on the final day of the AFL’s trade period in early November.
The 27-year-old claimed Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley told him senior Magpies players no longer wanted him at the club.
Collingwood is reportedly set to pay $1.5 million of Treloar’s Bulldogs contract over the next five seasons.
The Magpies will host the Bulldogs in a Friday-night clash at the MCG on March 19, 24 hours after the season kicks off at the same venue with defending premiers Richmond facing Carlton.
Treloar may be joined by number one draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in debuting for the Bulldogs in round one.
The MCG, starved of matches for much of the 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, will also stage the third match of round one on Saturday, March 20, with Melbourne playing Fremantle.
It is expected crowds will be allowed to return to the MCG and Melbourne’s Docklands stadium in round one.
Beaten grand finalist Geelong is set to unveil its bevy of recruits, including former Giants forward Jeremy Cameron, in Adelaide against the Crows on the Saturday night.
Essendon will then face fierce rival Hawthorn at Docklands the same evening, while former Bomber Joe Daniher could make his Brisbane debut against Sydney at the Gabba.
David Noble faces a tough start to life as the new North Melbourne coach, with the Kangaroos hosting preliminary finalist Port Adelaide at Docklands on the first Sunday of the AFL season.
Later that day, Greater Wester Sydney will play St Kilda at Giants Stadium, before West Coast and Gold Coast round out the weekend with their clash at Perth.
The AFL announced earlier this month matches will revert back to the normal quarter lengths of 20 minutes plus time on next season, but the fixture will still have a floating element in 2021.
ABC/AAP
