Six-time premiership player Marx Kretschmer has been posthumously added to the Port Adelaide Football Club’s Hall of Fame.

Kretschmer’s induction came at the club’s Season Launch and Hall of Fame event in the William Magarey Room at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

A utility who played mostly as a defender and at times as a ruck rover, Kretschmer represented the club in 142 games from 1951 to 1960, kicking 28 goals.

After winning a premiership in his debut season with Port Adelaide in 1951 as a 20-year old, he was a key contributor in the club’s golden era playing in a further five premierships in-a-row from 1954 to 1958.

He also represented South Australia on three occasions.

Kretschmer passed away in June 2022 at the age of 91 and his Hall of Fame recognition was accepted on his behalf by his son Kym Kretschmer, who also played for the club in the late 1970s.

During his playing career, Marx Kretschmer embodied Port Adelaide football – he was a tough and dependable defender with a strong and uncompromising style.

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"He was Port Adelaide, born and bred": Hall of Fame inductee, Marx Kretschmer | PTV

SIx-time premiership backman Marx Kretschmer has been inducted into the Port Adelaide Hall of Fame.

He played three state games, won nine club trophies through his career, and was awarded Life Membership of the Port Adelaide Football Club in 1960.

“We would like to thank the Port Adelaide Football Club for this recognition of Dad’s achievements,” Kym Kretschmer said.

“(Dad) not only played for the Port Adelaide Magpies, he was also the bar manager in the 70s, he set up the mini league, and ran the school football program and also did a bit of umpiring.

“He would have said that he didn’t deserve this recognition but we all know as a family he did. The one person who would have been the proudest here would have been our mum Ruth.”

“They both loved the club because it felt like family so on behalf of Dad and the family, we are all so honoured for this Hall of Fame honour and we wish he was here to accept this award.”

Kretschmer was the second six-time premiership player to receive the Hall of Fame honour on Thursday night with rugged midfielder and former captain David Brown also elevated.

Kretschmer was a noted enforcer of Port Adelaide intimidating backline of the 'Golden Era'.

Marx Kretschmer

Playing career: 

Games: 142 (SANFL) 1951-60

Goals: 28 (SANFL)

SANFL Premiership Player (1951, 1954-58)

Port Adelaide Football Club life member (1960)

SANFL life member (1960)

3x State Games for South Australia