Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has publicly defended club great Warren Tredrea, despite a string of extraordinary courtroom claims that have raised eyebrows and sparked fresh concerns over his position on the board.
Tredrea, representing himself in an ongoing legal battle with former employer Channel 9, told the Federal Court this week that he could not pay legal costs, estimated to be between $100,000 and $200,000, because he does not recognise Australian legal tender and would only repay in precious metals.
“I believe only gold or silver coins in common circulation can pay a debt,” Tredrea said in court.
“I have not been provided with any material facts or evidence that shows there exists any lawful gold or silver coin of substance in common circulation upon which to close, pay and extinguish an account.”
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‘A private matter,’ says Koch
Despite the bizarre nature of the claims and public concern from AFL commentators and former teammates, Koch maintained that Tredrea’s conduct outside of board duties was not the club’s concern.
“He’s a really good contributor to board meetings and also the football strategic committee,” Koch told FIVEAA. “What happens in his private life is up to him. Whether you agree with some of the things he says or not doesn’t really matter.”
“I’m just interested in how he performs as a director on the Port Adelaide board, and he’s doing pretty well.”
While the club continues to treat the issue as a private legal matter, pressure is mounting. Tredrea’s former premiership teammate Kane Cornes said the situation was “not ideal” and Port “should be a bit stronger with what they are saying.”
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson added: “He is closing doors within the Port Adelaide community, there’s no doubt about that.”
The case is expected to return to court before a full bench of three judges.