Adam Treloar had no idea when he uttered the words "I think Collingwood have a better list" that it would become such a major talking point at the time, let alone three years on.
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Treloar, explaining why he wanted to join the Magpies rather than Richmond in his first interview after leaving AFL start-up GWS, didn't muck around with cliches.
Some pundits regarded it as regrettable contempt; a mistake the young gun would come to regret.
Others thought it was admirable honesty, accusing the media of manufacturing a mountain out of a molehill.
Treloar offered the caveat that "a lot of people might think I'm silly because Richmond have a lot of good players" but the horse had bolted, the headlines were out there and hatred from the Tiger Army was heated.
Richmond's drought-breaking premiership in 2017 suggested Treloar may have erred. However, a flag for Collingwood this month would be vindication of sorts.
The 25-year-old made it clear last week he meant no offence and moved on a long time ago.
But it's safe to assume Treloar's list analysis will be raised at the MCG during Friday night's preliminary final - and not just in the stands and commentary box.
Treloar's first meeting as a Collingwood player against Richmond was at the same venue early in the 2016 season.
Treloar's choice of clubs, and ensuing comments that prompted Tigers legend Kevin Bartlett to call him "brainwashed" and "delusional", had not gone down well with the opposition.
Tigers captain Trent Cotchin was particularly vociferous, castigating the midfielder for speaking too soon.
The Tigers, leading by 17 points late in the final quarter of that contest, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Treloar couldn't resist a chance to return serve after the one-point win, ruffling Cotchin's hair shortly after the siren while reciting the same piece of unsolicited advice.
"I said, 'you spoke too soon, mate' and I gave him a wink," Treloar said the following week.
Treloar added that "pretty much everyone" in Richmond's team needled him about the list remark in one way or another.
"But it wasn't anything serious, it was just all fun," he said.
Regardless of this week's result, Treloar is at peace with his decision.
"Hand on heart I wouldn't change anything ... everything happens for a reason," Treloar told News Corp Australia last week.
"I probably could have worded it better.
"I thought I was better suited to Collingwood because Richmond had players like me."
Australian Associated Press