Former GWS Giants take the long road to Grand Final with Collingwood

IT’S a long way from the Rooty Hill RSL to the Grand Final at the MCG but Taylor Adams, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Adam Treloar wouldn’t have it any other way.

Adam Treloar celebrates on the siren with Taylor Adams. Picture: Phil Hillyard

IT’S a long way from the gym at Rooty Hill RSL to the Grand Final at the MCG.

But it’s a tough road Collingwood’s trio of former Giants wouldn’t change for a minute.

Taylor Adams, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Adam Treloar were all foundation players at GWS when they made their first tentative steps as an AFL club in 2012.

MAGPIE: DE GOEY COMPLETES ROAD TO REDEMPTION

LIVE: FOLLOW ALL THE GRAND FINAL ACTION HERE

EXCLUSIVE: WE ARE LIVING THE DREAM: EDDIE

With no permanent club or training facility for their first three years players and coaches were forced travel all over Sydney’s west to train.

There wasn’t much joy when they played either winning just three games in their first two seasons.

“We were doing it the hard way,” Treloar said.

Adam Treloar during his GWS Giants days.

Adam Treloar in action for Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

“Being at a start of club like the Giants and working out of a gym in an RSL club gave me an appreciation for being at a big club like Collingwood. I will always have a soft spot for the Giants because of that.”

Treloar and Adams are both genuine chances of winning the Norm Smith Medal after outstanding finals series. Adams was outstanding in the preliminary final win over Richmond with an impressive 36 possession effort.

“I’ve always been really grateful for what the Giants did for me,” Adams said.

“I’ve said it throughout my career I’d never change the first two years of my AFL life.

“I loved my time in western Sydney and made some great friends there. I also had some great mentors and learned a lot about football and life in general.

“I had to pack up everything a few days after the draft and move out of home to a big city. It feels like a lifetime ago but it all helped.”

YOUR 32-PAGE PREMIERSHIP SOUVENIR SUNDAY HERALD SUN

Taylor Adams during his time at GWS. Picture: Evans Mark

Will Hoskin-Elliott in action for the Giants. Picture: Michael Klein

Originally published as Former GWS Giants take the long road to Grand Final with Collingwood