Courtroom Capers & IOU Shenanigans
Warren Tredrea—Port Adelaide legend and now AFL commentator with 5AA—is facing more media scrutiny than a mid-season meltdown after a face-off outside court this Tuesday. The drama? A debt to Channel 9, which has apparently been “settled” via a promissory note (an IOU), despite literally no money changing hands. He argues that, under federal law, this counts as payment—all because, apparently, there’s no gold or silver in circulation big enough to settle Nine’s legal bills.
AFC Stats & Accountability Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Club Board Role | Still sits on Port Adelaide board: secure—for now |
| 5AA Contract | under review by Nova Entertainment after IOU dust-up |
| Debt Settlement | IOU written, no cash exchanged—Tredrea says “formal & legally discharged” |
| Statement of Identity | “My yes be yes, my no be no… not legal person of statute” — affidavit excerpt |
| Court Q&A | Tredrea confirmed he is a citizen—despite earlier claim of being above “statute” |
| Port Board Confidence | Caroline Wilson: “performance strong… still on board” |
| 5AA Contract Status | Wilson: Nova “having a very close look” and legal discussions possible |
The Kiwis Speak: Cornes & Wilson React
- Caroline Wilson (via The Agenda Setters): “At this stage, Warren stays on the board… But Nova Entertainment… is having a very close look at Warren Tredrea’s contract… these are some very unusual statements.” 7news.com.au
- Kane Cornes, former teammate: “I feel a bit sad… I don’t think anyone wants to be door-stopped out the front of court… It’s not an ideal situation.”
“Port fans deserve more than ‘no comment’…” 7news.com.au
Aussie Humour & Hard Facts
Tredrea’s legal reasoning—no gold or silver coins means IOU = legal tender? Only in Australia! It’s as if he’s staking his case on Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. But love him or scratch your head at him, the IOU could have serious career knock‑on effects. The board might stay loyal, but 5AA and fans? That’s a tougher mark.
What Comes Next
- 5AA: Contract review underway. Could result in a shake‑up if Nova deems things “too quirky.”
- Port Board: Remains unchanged—for now—but mounting public pressure could force their hand.
- Warren: Needs to tidy up the IOU saga and prove he’s still a professional first and foremost.
