Gold Coast has conceded defeat in the pursuit of Adam Treloar after the midfielder refused a trade to the Suns for the second time in 12 months.
Gold Coast and Collingwood last year held preliminary talks over a blockbuster trade for Treloar. The Pies were willing to deal their star ball winner, but the Suns refused to part with pick one or two, which they were determined to use in the draft on close friends Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.
Gold Coast thought 12 months ago that a future first-round pick might be enough to seal the deal, but Treloar steadfastly refused to consider any prospect of a move.
The player’s undisclosed and heavily front-ended four-year contract extension - signed only last July – was another hurdle.
But Treloar’s partner Kim Ravaillion’s decision to resume her netball career with a 10-month deal at the Brisbane-based Queensland Firebirds next year again set off the alarm bells at Gold Coast.
The Suns are keen to trade their pick 5 in this year’s draft for a seasoned player, believing it has the green shoots it needs for a sustained spell of success.
Ravaillion’s return is very much a family decision a long time in the making. The star centre will move to Brisbane in January. Treloar will travel with her and stay for a while before reporting back for pre-season training at Collingwood.
Ravaillion’s mum will also relocate to help her daughter look after the couple’s little girl, Georgie.
Ravaillion and Treloar will travel back and forth when they can, with the Pies – despite being initially hesitant – prepared to give their midfielder some leeway in an otherwise rigid training program.
The couple are aware that as professional athletes their careers are not forever and they have committed to the unique arrangement that will see them based 1600km apart for most of next year.