Adam Treloar will play in the Western Bulldogs’ season-opener against Collingwood.
The Dogs have been cautious with Treloar after he experienced calf tightness in February and have been reluctant to publicly endorse the midfielder’s availability for Round 1.
Head of sports medicine Chris Bell yesterday told the club website that Treloar had “progressed as we planned” after gathering 19 touches and six clearances in a little more than a half of Monday’s VFL practice match.
“(Treloar) has progressed really nicely and pulled up well. I’ll work with match committee over the next 7-10 days to confirm his availability for Round 1,” Bell said.
But barring any fresh setback, the big-name recruit is certain to feature in a grudge match against his old side on March 19, four months after he was blindsided and brutally forced out by the Pies.
Treloar will slot into a Dogs’ midfield rotation that looms as the envy of the competition, with Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith and Lachie Hunter forming a deep onball division.