April 19, 2025 | Melbourne, Victoria – Tensions have boiled over at Collingwood Football Club, as multiple senior players are reportedly at odds with club leadership following a controversial decision to drop veteran midfielder Jack Treloar from the senior side just days before the team’s blockbuster ANZAC Day clash against Essendon.
According to sources within the club, the decision—described by some players as “disrespectful” and “stunningly cold”—was made late Thursday evening during a closed-door selection meeting. Treloar, 32, who has been a mainstay of the Pies’ midfield for over a decade, was informed he would be playing VFL this weekend “for strategic reasons.”
The move sent shockwaves through the locker room. By Friday morning, a group of senior players, including captain Darcy Moore, were reportedly voicing their frustration directly to club officials and head coach Craig McRae.
“It’s not about one player being dropped,” a senior Collingwood source told The Age under condition of anonymity. “It’s about how it was handled. Treloar is respected, he’s a leader, and he’s still performing. This felt like a betrayal to a lot of the guys.”
The internal fallout has been swift. Team morale is said to be low, and several players reportedly skipped Friday’s optional training session in protest—an extremely rare occurrence for the tightly knit Collingwood squad.
The situation has escalated to the point where football boss Graham Wright has called for an emergency leadership meeting to address the “player unrest.” The meeting, scheduled for Saturday morning, will involve senior players, coaching staff, and key club executives.
Coach McRae fronted the media Friday afternoon but avoided direct questions about the selection drama.
“Every decision we make is in the best interest of the team,” McRae said. “Sometimes those decisions are tough. Jack’s a professional, and he’ll bounce back like he always does.”
But the damage may already be done. Reports suggest Treloar, blindsided by the demotion, is now considering his future at the club and may request a trade at season’s end if relationships don’t improve.
Fans, too, have reacted strongly. Social media has lit up with hashtags like #JusticeForJack and #PiesDivided trending nationally by Friday night. Some supporters have even called for a boycott of Sunday’s game at the MCG, citing the “disrespect” shown to a club legend.
Treloar has yet to make a public statement, but was seen leaving the club’s AIA Centre on Friday afternoon without speaking to media.
With the ANZAC Day game just hours away, Collingwood now finds itself not only battling for premiership points, but also for unity within its four walls. Whether the Magpies can overcome the fallout—or if the rift grows deeper—remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: the black and white machine is under pressure like never before.
