AFL great Warren Tredrea under threat of bankruptcy as court hands down deadline to pay $149,000 legal bill

Port Adelaide AFL great Warren Tredrea is under threat of bankruptcy after a court ruled he must pay his former employer’s $149,000 legal bill by 4pm on Tuesday.

It comes after a failed lawsuit against the Nine Network over claims of unfair dismissal relating to COVID-19 vaccinations.

The former Port board member previously told the Federal Court that he had covered the legal debt with an IOU note, because he believes that Australia has no ‘gold or silver coins’ in circulation.

He also claimed he is not an ‘entity, legal person or citizen’.

Speaking as he left court, Tredrea said it was a “very disappointing outcome”.

“I don’t dispute that I owe the money,” he said, taking issue with the “application by electronic means”.

“I disputed how it was served.”

Tredrea said “watch out, sorry mate” as he stepped in front of a cameraman and stopped answering questions.

“You didn’t do your homework though, didn’t you, Warren? You didn’t do your homework,” one journalist asked.

He began running off as another pointed to the 4pm deadline: “Are you going to pay?”

Tredrea was dropped from the Port Adelaide board late last year following a four-month governance review, while he also lost a radio commentary role, following a controversial podcast episode unrelated to his court case.

Comments made by British Army veteran AJ Roberts on an episode of Tredrea’s podcast caused outrage in the Jewish community and sparked the club investigation.

Tredrea responded in June by saying he was only seeking to “share other perspectives” than mainstream media.

The club confirmed Tredrea’s departure in October, slamming the former player for refusing to issue a public apology.

“Following that review, the board sought to engage with Tredrea to agree certain actions to be taken by him in his capacity as a director,” the club said in a statement.

“Amongst other things, the board formally requested that Tredrea agree to a club statement which included an apology to the club and anyone who took offence to the comments made on his podcast by Mr AJ Roberts.

“Tredrea refused to agree with the public apology request to close out the matter.

“The board has afforded Tredrea numerous opportunities to reconsider his position, which he has not changed.

“After exhausting all reasonable avenues for resolution, the board determined that Tredrea’s continuation as a director was not in the best interests of the club.

“With the support of the AFL, the process was implemented in accordance with the Corporations Act and the Club’s Constitution.”

In a statement issued before the conclusion of the review, Tredrea distanced himself from the comments but stopped short of apologising.

“The purpose of my podcast has been not to shine a light on my own personal views and opinions,” he said.

“But rather to provide a platform for others to present their views and opinions in an unfiltered forum.

“I understand some of these may be uncomfortable for some to listen to.”

He added that he wanted to “make it abundantly clear” he “unequivocally” condemns war and genocide, and seeks “only to share other perspectives of what has been a very one-way reported narrative in the mainstream media”.

“I am not in any way, shape or form, an anti-Semite, and consider it defamatory for anyone to accuse me as such,” Tredrea said.

“As someone who always aims to do the moral and good thing even when it’s hard, my ultimate goal is to create unity and cohesion whilst pursuing a fair go for all.”

Tredrea is revered and considered among Port’s greatest AFL players.

He is a four-time All Australian and captained the club to their only premiership in 2004.

After a decorated 255-game playing career between 1997 and 2010, Tredrea moved into the media in Adelaide.

Tredrea joined Channel Nine in 2013 before the 2021 dismissal that led to his court case.

Port Adelaide stressed the decision to remove Tredrea from the board should not tarnish his contributions as a player.

“The board wishes to make clear: this is a governance matter relating to its expectations of club directors. It is not, and should never be interpreted as, a reflection on Warren Tredrea’s extraordinary contribution to Port Adelaide as a player,” the club said.

“Warren Tredrea is a premiership captain, club champion, and one of the greatest players to represent the club.

“His legacy as a player is secure and will forever be celebrated by this club and our members. That legacy remains untarnished and separate from this governance decision.”