Adam Treloar has spoken out about the toll of media criticism and social media knockers as rumours circle about his future.
The Western Bulldogs midfielder, battling soft-tissue niggles in the past 18 months, said his family and friends had been deeply affected by the scrutiny.
"It's been challenging. Super challenging to be honest," Treloar told the Ads and Dunks Podcast.
"It affects my family more than anything. That's where it hurts me.
"I have no footy channels that I follow ... I have no external sources that I see ... but my family sees everything and my partner sees everything and she wears her heart on her sleeve, like I do.
"When she hears commentators ... and ex-players and ex ... and ex people in the media say really nasty things about me that hurts. That hurts because it hurts her. I see it and she wears that."
Treloar has been the subject of recent speculation about imminent retirement and even an agreement to play local footy at Noble Park.
His wife is Kim Ravaillion, an elite netballer.
Treloar said friends and family have reached out to him, concerned for him.
"I have no doubt out there that people listening or watching the game ... I feel like the media really come after me," Treloar said.
"They're going to have their own narrative ... I'm washed up, I can't play, I'm not good enough any more. These are the things I've been told from family and friends."
Treloar said it was "hurtful" as he had put 16 years of heart and soul into his football and was professional as ever in his preparation.
"I've got a thick skin. I can not let things affect me the way it affects Kim and what not," Treloar said.
"It really irks me when I see a lot of ex players go into the media and become real personal and forget they played."
