Team GWS locks in a Stingray
Team GWS is proud to welcome yet another emerging young talent to the Club with 17-year-old Adam Treloar signing on with GWS from 2011.
Recruited from the Dandenong Stingrays, Treloar now becomes the fifth 17-year-old signed by GWS under the Club’s list concessions.
A member of the AIS AFL Academy, Treloar impressed for Vic Country at this year’s NAB National Championships with his ability to win the contested ball and break the lines.
Hailed as an extremely versatile player, Treloar will now move to Sydney in early November to begin his first pre-season at GWS.
“It’s a massive relief to have been offered an AFL contract, draft day is something I really wasn’t looking forward to. This just takes away all of the guessing and the stress of the unknown,” said Treloar.
“This is just a massive dream come true, it’s probably been my dream since I was 8-years-old. I still can’t believe it. To come through the Stingrays program and end up with this, it really is life changing.
“If it wasn’t for the Stingrays, I wouldn’t be here today. The development and the coaching that I had access to there really helped me a lot.”
Treloar said that he was excited about the challenge that comes with moving to Sydney.
“I am nervous, but really I’m more excited. I think it’s harder on my Mum. She’ll be fine, she’s been getting used to the idea since my trip to South Africa when we realised this was a genuine possibility. Mum’s the most excited person for me, she’s been through the whole journey with me to get this point.
“There’s such a great support network set up at the club. I got to know Graeme Allan really well on the way over to South Africa and just talking to him all about where the Club is headed made me really excited.
“Kevin Sheedy is one of the best people I’ve ever met. He told us about how good the environment is going to be around the Club, he really put my mind at ease about what to expect.”
Team GWS High performance Manger, Alan McConnell said that Treloar had been a strong performer in the talented pathway for a number of years.
“Adam’s a very high-energy creative running player. He can play a variety of positions as he’s a very natural footballer. He really has performed at an elite level across all stages of the pathway.
“He was a real stand out at U16 level last year and then was able to back that up with some impressive performances in the TAC Cup and National Carnival this year.
“The AIS Academy is certainly a strong indicator of success. The AIS program was an important step in his growth and development, the life experiences it provided him will hold him in good stead as he embarks on an AFL career.
“Above all Adam had a genuine love of the game and will be a great inclusion at GWS.”