CARETAKER coach and former Port Adelaide captain Matthew Primus says retiring veteran Warren Tredrea should be remembered in the same vein as superstars Chris Judd and Jonathan Brown.
Primus said it was disappointing to think that Tredrea, whose record includes 255 games, 549 goals, a premiership, four All-Australian crowns and four best and fairest awards, wouldn’t be remembered one of the best players of the modern era.
“Unfortunately in the AFL, to some extent if you play for three or four of the big Victorian clubs and you’re a star in them, your star is a lot bigger and everyone talks about you,” Primus said on Tuesday.
“In the last decade, Tredders has been one of the greats. He’s been an outstanding player for us and the greatest player we’ve ever had. The Chris Judds, Jonathan Browns and those kinds of guys in the competition - Tredders is up there, if not above them.
“He just won our club too many games not to be. He should be held in as high regard as anyone else in the last decade.”
Tredrea said he was humbled by his former teammate’s words, but that he wasn’t fazed by how anyone outside of the football club remembered him.
“I’ve always ... loved this club. If we’re seen as a big club or a small club I couldn’t care less,” Tredrea said.
“I leave today rapt because I achieved the ultimate and most of the things that I wanted to achieve. It’s been a real pleasure and I’ve really loved every moment.
“Your record is your record and that’s for people to judge … I’m just happy that I’ve been able to make a positive contribution.”
Tredrea said his next challenge was to forge a successful career in the media, but didn’t rule out coaching or being a member of the Port Adelaide board.
