Prized Collingwood recruit Adam Treloar has reacted angrily to the backlash over his perceived criticism of Richmond's AFL playing list.
Speaking at a Falls Creek training camp on Wednesday, Treloar angered Tigers supporters when he said that Collingwood's "better list" was the reason he chose to spurn overtures from Punt Road to join the Pies during the AFL trade period.
The comments caused a stir on social media and led Tigers legend Kevin Bartlett to label the 22-year-old "brainwashed" and "delusional" on his SEN radio show.
By Thursday afternoon Treloar had had enough and took to Twitter to voice his displeasure at the reaction.
"I never once had a dig at Richmond," Treloar tweeted.
"I thanked them heaps for (their) interest and effort in me and I wish them nothing but the best - they are a good team."
"I got asked the question why I (chose) to play for the Pies, and of course people are going to disagree with me because people have different opinions - it's human nature.
"But don't judge me as a person for a game that only takes up such a small part of my life.
"IT'S JUST A GAME."
After four seasons with Greater Western Sydney, Treloar told the club he wanted to be traded back to Melbourne to be closer to family and friends.
He nominated Collingwood as his preferred destination, despite a bold play by the Tigers.
"People may think I'm silly because Richmond have a lot of good players ... but I think Collingwood have a better list, a younger list, who in a few years' time can hopefully win a premiership," Treloar said of his decision on Wednesday.
The hard-running midfielder's move to the Pies wasn't exactly a smooth one, with drawn out negotiations finally resulting in GWS claiming two first-round picks in return.
The Giants were angered when a leaked video showed Treloar signing a contract with Collingwood before a trade deal had been done.
That came after Treloar underwent secret groin surgery without the Giants' knowledge while he was still officially their player.
Treloar defended that decision on Wednesday.
"I had a medical done at Collingwood and they gave me a bit of advice on what they thought could happen but, ultimately, they left it to me - it was my decision," he said.
"I wasn't a Giants player at the time, or (at least) I had indicated to them that I didn't want to be there and wanted to be traded, and they respected that decision.
"I wanted to come in firing ... that's why I got the surgery done."
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