Port Adelaide legend sensationally accuses Sunrise star club boss David Koch of gaslighting him
Port Adelaide legend sensationally accuses club boss and Channel Seven star David Koch of GASLIGHTING him as the pair’s war of words goes up several levels
- Warren Tredrea has lashed out at the chairman
- Pair have argued over the direction of the club
- Koch blocked the legend’s attempt to join the board
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has been accused of gaslighting when the Sunrise star came under fire from one of his club’s greatest ever players.
Warren Tredrea – who captained the Power to the 2004 flag during his illustrious 255-match career for the team – has been in a spat of words with Koch lately as he campaigns for the club to sack coach Ken Hinkley.
The former champion centre-forward labeled Hinkley’s position as ‘untenable’ after Port lost their third consecutive Showdown loss to the Adelaide Crows last Saturday.
Koch hit back by claiming that Tredrea only said that because he “has a new podcast to promote,” sparking an outraged backlash.
The ex-skipper’s bid to join the club’s board in the off-season was beaten back by Koch in a move many believed would sideline fans.
“I can’t ignore it several times now that he’s gaslighting,” Tredrea rebounded on radio station FIVEaa on Thursday.
Koch was at the tail end of an attack by club legend Warren Tredrea, who campaigned for the team to sack coach Ken Hinkley following their poor start to the year
Tredrea – who flew the Power to the banner in 2004 and made 255 appearances for the club – has blasted the host of Sunrise, who blocked his bid to join the club’s board in the off-season
‘When I went to the board he told me – not me – that ‘you have to get to know Port Adelaide’.
“I was like, okay, I’ll let that go, but yesterday he said it’s to get podcast downloads.
“Telling people to get involved with the club and learn about the club, and it’s for a podcast, give us a spell.”
Tredrea added that he and Koch have not spoken for years and insisted he wanted to join the board to support the club – but said he knew he may not have been wanted because “I’ve been outspoken.”
Hinkley brushed off the legend’s criticism as irrelevant, despite the fact that his side was crushed by the Magpies prior to the Crows’ defeat.
Hinkley (pictured, centre, after losing to his club in the Showdown last Saturday) has dismissed Tredrea’s criticism, describing the club as ‘incredibly strong’
“I value opinions, that’s all I can do with them — they are opinions and I respect some opinions and I don’t respect all opinions,” Hinkley told reporters on Friday.
“But the reality is I have work to do now.
“We just played round three. The competition is so lively and so alive that I can’t let that distract me.
“The club has been incredibly strong with the way we handled this situation.”
Port president David Koch and senior players, including Brownlow medalist Ollie Wines, have publicly supported Hinkley.
One of the Power’s all-time greats, Tredrea (pictured doing a victory lap with his family during his retirement from the game in 2010) believes he was held back from joining the club’s board because he was too was candid.
Hinkley and the club hierarchy have postponed all contract talks until at least August.
“We all understand that this will be current throughout the season,” Hinkley said.
And I’m more than comfortable when it’s current because I get that’s the job you (media) have to do.
“But the reality is I have work to do myself and I will do it to the best of my ability.”
Hinkley noted that Tredrea, Port’s all-time top goalkeeper and sole AFL premiership captain, is now a prominent media identity.
“I appreciate the fact that they have opinions, whether it’s Warren or anyone else in the media,” Hinkley said.
“You people (media) … I respect the fact that you work in the media and you have to have an opinion.”
When asked about Tredrea’s opinion of a broken relationship with supporters, Hinkley replied, “I can’t break someone else’s mind, so you have to ask them.”