AFL 2024: Port Adelaide will not stop players, staff from endorsing board candidates Bruce Abernethy or Warren Tredrea
Warren Tredrea has hit out at reports he asked Port Adelaide defender Ryan Burton for an apology after the club clarified its policy around the ongoing board battle.
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Port Adelaide will not stop any players or staff from endorsing club greats Bruce Abernethy and Warren Tredrea in the Power’s high-profile board battle.
While it is highly unusual for active players to weigh into board elections, Power defender Ryan Burton has publicly supported Abernethy, sharing a post from the seven-time Port Adelaide SANFL premiership winner on his Instagram earlier this week.
In a separate Instagram story on Wednesday, Burton clarified that it was a personal view, as the partner of Abernethy’s daughter, Brie, and not an endorsement from the club’s board or management.
The Power says it does not have a hard and fast policy precluding players or staff from publicly supporting candidates.
Nor had players and staff been told to stay out of the election, according to the club.
Abernethy and Tredrea are going head-to-head for a members-elected board seat.
Tredrea’s criticism of coach Ken Hinkley has prompted a common outside view that the club does not want its all-time AFL leading goalkicker on the board.
Abernethy vehemently denies the suggestion he is running again – after being on the Power board from 2005-12 – as part of a club ploy to stop Tredrea from winning.
The post Burton originally shared was from Abernethy’s Facebook and included why he was running.
Tredrea denied that he had asked Burton to apologise, as 2004 premiership teammate Kane Cornes suggested on SEN.
“Given the public interest surrounding what has become a highly publicized members’ election to the Port Adelaide Football Club’s Board of Directors, it is imperative that the process remain impartial and independent to ensure a fair and just contest,” Tredrea posted on social media.
“I have addressed this matter with Ryan Burton personally, and sympathise and understand his predicament.
“Let it be known I never sought an apology from Ryan personally, and categorically deny any report that suggests otherwise.
“I have no further comment in relation to the matter and look forward to an exciting season ahead for our Club celebratingthe 20th anniversary of its inaugural AFL Premiership in 2004.”
Along with Burton, former Power president Brett Duncanson and family of ex-Port Adelaide chairman, the late Bruce Weber, are in Abernethy’s corner.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas told FIVEaa on Wednesday he would probably vote Abernethy.
Premiership captain Tredrea has support from inaugural Port Adelaide AFL president Greg Boulton and ex-Power chief executive John James.
Voting opened on January 25 and was set to end next Wednesday.
The winner will be revealed at the club’s annual general meeting on February 9.
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