Warren Tredrea maintains that despite Ryan Burton’s open backing of a rival board candidate, he has not pursued an apology from the Power defender.
Burton made a post endorsing Bruce Abernethy in his bid to replace Tredrea on the Port Adelaide board of directors. Shortly after, Burton made it clear that his stance was personal because he was seeing Abernethy’s daughter Brie.
The sole AFL premiership captain for the Power, Kane Cornes, stated on Thursday morning that Tredrea had asked for an apology from the team and the player. Tredrea disputes this.
Tredrea stated on X, the former Twitter platform: “It is crucial that the process remain impartial and independent to ensure a fair and just contest given the public interest surrounding what has become a highly publicized Members’ election to the Port Adelaide Football Club’s Board of Directors.”
“I have personally discussed this issue with Ryan Burton, and I am sympathetic to and cognizant of his situation. I would like it to be known that I never asked Ryan directly for an apology, and I vehemently refute any information to the contrary.
“I look forward to an exciting season ahead for our Club celebrating the 20th anniversary of its inaugural AFL Premiership in 2004,” the statement reads. “I have no further comment in relation to the matter.”
Although it’s uncommon for a player or staff member of a club to openly back a competitor in a board contest, News Corp. claims Port Adelaide will not prevent any club personnel from supporting any candidate.
The winner of the members’ election will be announced on Friday, February 9. The election is presently underway.
PRIOR
The legendary Port Adelaide player Warren Tredrea has reportedly demanded a second apology from his former team due to the turmoil surrounding the impending members’ election.
SANFL icon Bruce Abernethy and Tredrea are vying for a spot on the board of directors; Port Adelaide members are now in the voting round.
The results will be revealed during the club’s annual general meeting two days after the voting closes on February 7.
While Abernethy, a seven-time SANFL premiership player for Port, wants his team to go back to the Port Adelaide model, Tredrea, the club’s sole AFL premiership captain, has promised he will do whatever it takes to enhance the Power.
But with a week left of voting, Tredrea’s premiership teammate Kane Cornes has revealed a scandal has somewhat interrupted the process.
Power defender Ryan Burton is in a relationship with Abernethy’s daughter Brie and recently shared Abernethy’s letter to members that pushed his case to join the board.
However, Cornes says that decision caused plenty of friction.
“It did not go down well with Warren. I’m led to believe Warren rang the club really angrily and demanded an apology from the football club and from Ryan for sharing Bruce Abernethy’s (letter), remembering he’s the father of Ryan’s partner. He (Burton) is in a very awkward position,” Cornes revealed on SEN Breakfast
Burton has since apologised, posting on an Instagram story: “The posting of Bruce’s letter was done by me personally, in the context of my relationship with his daughter Brie. It was not intended, in any way, to reflect a view or endorsement from any member of the PAFC board or management and should not be taken as such.”
But that too didn’t hit the mark.
“Ryan has since apologised via social media… I’m led to believe that apology did not hit the mark for Tredders and he wants a further apology from the club, not just from Ryan,” Cornes added.
Tredrea has been endorsed by inaugural Power president Greg Boulton and former CEO John James to join the board.
It comes in the context of News Corp reporting cynics believe Abernethy is returning at the club’s wish to stop Tredrea from winning.
Tredrea offered to fill the AFL-appointed seat on Port Adelaide’s board last year before being knocked back by chairman David Koch, who insisted the now 45-year-old would need to stand at the members’ election.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the board on a three-year term, with results expected on Friday week.
Leave a Reply