WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Adam Treloar has announced with the "heaviest of hearts" that he will hang up the boots after not being offered a contract for 2027.
The midfielder managed just nine senior appearances across the past two seasons as a string of soft-tissue injuries took a heavy toll on the latter stages of his glittering career.
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Treloar finishes with 263 games and 158 goals across three clubs, earning All-Australian selection in 2024 after a stellar campaign with the Bulldogs.
In his prime, Treloar became one of the best midfielders in the competition, with his ball-winning ability, drive through the middle and capacity to hit the scoreboard making him a standout.
He played in the Bulldogs' VFL premiership last season after repeat calf tears cruelled his campaign at the top level.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have come to the conclusion that I am retiring," Treloar said.
"I will never forget the moment that I fell in love with the game of footy – I was that seven-year-old boy that just wanted to be like his older brother – follow in his footsteps and play the game.
"I was a kid from Dandenong who grew up with nothing – except a loving family. All I ever wanted to do was make my friends and family proud.
"That young boy would be so proud – never in my wildest dreams did I think I would play one AFL game – so to be here after 16 seasons, it is something I am extremely proud of.
"I am forever grateful to the Western Bulldogs Football Club and hopefully one day my daughter Georgie is running out in the red, white and blue."
Treloar began his journey at Greater Western Sydney as a pre-listed 17-year-old, playing 79 games in the expansion club's first four seasons in the competition before requesting a move to Collingwood at the end of 2015.
He went on to play 94 games for the Magpies before famously becoming one of the biggest casualties of the club's 2020 salary cap squeeze, which ultimately saw him traded to the Bulldogs despite having five years remaining on a lucrative contract.
Treloar was one of the standouts in the Bulldogs' Grand Final loss to Melbourne in 2021, collecting 27 disposals and kicking three goals in Perth.
His career-best season was in 2024, earning an All-Australian blazer after ranking No.1 in the competition for disposals and receiving 26 Brownlow votes.
"Adam has been such an incredible AFL player across his 16 seasons in the competition and should be extremely proud of everything he has achieved," men's football manager Luke Power said.
"To compete at a highest level for as long as Adam has is a credit to him and his commitment to the game, becoming one of the most prolific ball-winners in the AFL for the better part of a decade.
"He became a mentor to many of our younger players, with his professionalism off field and ability to get the best out of himself the perfect example for his teammates."
Treloar's retirement comes a day after club veteran Tom Liberatore announced he was hanging up the boots after 268 games.
The Bulldogs also announced earlier in the week that Oskar Baker, Harvey Gallagher, Lachlan Smith and Zac Walker would not be offered contracts in 2027.