Western Bulldogs milestone man Adam Treloar is a man of many layers in the eyes of coach Luke Beveridge.
The 31-year-old midfielder is in career-best form in 2024, averaging a league-best 32.3 disposals and 5.8 clearances a game to help lift the Bulldogs into the top eight.
But there's more to the former Collingwood and GWS star's game than just winning the ball.
"There's a lot of layers with Adam," Beveridge said ahead of Treloar's 250th AFL appearance, when the Dogs tackle Melbourne on Friday night.
"And what I think everyone's begun to appreciate is how rounded he is as a player.
"People see he had 40 possessions last week - 20 (kicks) and 20 (handballs) are good numbers, aren't they? - but if you delve a bit deeper you see the contest.
"You see the 12 intercept possessions or the defensive aspect of his game."
It's a side that was apparent to Beveridge when the Bulldogs were weighing up a play for Treloar at the end of 2020, when the midfielder was squeezed out of Collingwood to relieve salary cap pressure.
That closer inspection of the hard-running on-baller is paying dividends.
"We looked into what sort of influence he was having at Collingwood on the defensive side and around the pressure game," Beveridge said.
"He was rated close to the best tackling player as far as their midfield went.
"There were all those signs and he's just been an incredible, influential player for us since he got here.
"So to see him having the type of year that he has, and not miss as many games as he has in the past, has been enormous for us."
Treloar again shapes as a crucial figure in the Bulldogs' midfield against a desperate Melbourne outfit on Friday night.
The Dogs (11-8) are looking for a fourth consecutive win to consolidate their spot in the top eight, while the Demons (10-9) are seeking to reignite their own finals push.
But it has been a one-sided rivalry in recent times, with Melbourne winning four of the past five meetings in a run that started with the 2021 grand final.
"Our track record against the Demons, who have been a formidable side over the last few years, hasn't been on the positive side of the ledger," Beveridge said.
"They got us earlier in the year in round one. We thought we prepared well and we had a really down day and they showed us what they're capable of.
"So it's a huge challenge for us."
The Bulldogs named an unchanged line-up, while Melbourne have lost Caleb Windsor to an ankle injury and left out both Jack Billings and Bailey Laurie.
Tom Sparrow, Koltyn Tholstrup and Blake Howes return for the Demons.
