- AFL great Warren Tredrea has strong political views
- Accused of backing racists by reporter Caroline Wilson
- Tredrea adamant people are entitled to freedom of speech
Footy legend turned Port Adelaide board member Warren Tredrea has hit back after he was publicly accused of backing influential US political figures who have been labelled racist by a prominent AFL journalist.
The Port Adelaide premiership-winning captain in 2004 has an ally on his side – AFL icon Nick Riewoldt – who stressed to TV viewers that Tredrea is entitled to his own political opinions.
It comes after veteran reporter Caroline Wilson stated on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters that Tredrea ‘is backing people who I think in the past have been racist, conspiracy theorists and anti-Semitic.’
Wilson was referring to the likes of US President Donald Trump, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and billionaire Elon Musk, all of whom Tredrea has supported on his social media platforms.
She also stated that Tredrea’s ‘very strong and unusual political views were raising eyebrows’ in footy circles and ‘even at board level’ at Port.
Tredrea has been a board member of the Port Adelaide Football Club since February 2024, alongside chairman David Koch.
Footy legend Warren Tredrea has hit back after he was publicly called out for backing anti-woke US political figures (pictured, playing for Port Adelaide)
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson told Channel Seven viewers that Tredrea ‘is backing people who I think in the past have been racist, conspiracy theorists and anti-Semitic’
The high-profile pair have fallen out previously, with Koch rejecting Tredrea’s bid for a seat in 2023.
Champion centre half-forward Tredrea has since responded to Wilson, stating she is trying to enforce ‘fear-based control’.
He also believes Wilson is attacking him personally, pointing to her reaction when he refused a COVID-19 vaccine.
That decision in 2022 cost Tredrea his sports presenter role with Channel Nine in Adelaide.
‘Different ideas and perspectives should be encouraged, not these types of baseless attacks on character,’ Tredrea told his X followers on Sunday.
‘Simply saying, I don’t like your opinion because it doesn’t match mine, is fear-based control.
‘It is possible that Caroline’s nervousness and obsession with me stem from her personal conflicts?
‘This connection may be influencing her behaviour, making her more sensitive or reactive to certain topics or individuals like myself.’
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt said Tredrea, like all Australians, is entitled to his own opinion
In 2022, Tredrea lost his role as a sports presenter with Channel Nine in Adelaide after refusing a Covid-19 vaccine
Some topics Tredrea has shared with his 30,000 plus followers on X to debate include: the lack of human rights in Australia under federal and state governments during the Covid pandemic, ‘fake news’ according to President Trump, and why mainstream media is reportedly dying.
St Kilda legend Riewoldt stressed his belief that everyone is entitled to their own opinion when on the panel of The Agenda Setters alongside Wilson, SEN boss Hutchison and Kane Cornes.
And AFL supporters were quick to remind Wilson about freedom of speech.
‘Stunningly bigoted from Wilson,’ said one footy fan on X.
‘Garbage from Wilson. Riewoldt said what everyone is thinking,’ posted another.
Meanwhile, Tredrea has released the first episode of his podcast titled ‘The Ballsy Show’ starring Queensland Senator Gerard Rennick.
Among the items of discussion are the cost of living in Australia and the ‘risk’ of excessive immigration.
