by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
In the week leading up to Round 18, Port Adelaide's Warren Tredrea announced his immediate retirement. In the announcement he said he felt himself struggling mentally and had already decided to retire at the end of the season. He said that while he loved training and playing, being the face of the club and all that entails was wearing on him. Although he conceded things had not gone the way he wanted with the injury, he said it may have been a blessing in disguise and had made him realize it was time to step aside. He further stated that the time was right to call it quits with the club trying to focus on youth and that it would be selfish of him to come back. He was due to return by Round 20.
Tredrea leaves the game with no regrets, knowing he has given 100%. He said that it had been a wonderful journey playing for the same club as his father and captaining the club to their first AFL premiership. Tredrea had been with the club from the beginning of their time in the AFL, playing in Port's last SANFL Premiership in 1996, after which the club entered AFL ranks.
Tredrea, 31, was sure his career was over after undergoing knee surgery in 2006 and having a less than stellar season in 2007. He said things gradually turned around for him and he felt fortunate that he was able to play on for another three years. He expressed his gratitude to the club for his achievements.
Tredrea, who debuted when he was just 18, said it was a privilege and honor to be a one-club player. "I grew up ... a Port Adelaide person ... All I ever dreamed about ... was to play ... for Port Adelaide. To now have my name on the locker and ... have captained this club is truly a great honor.” Former teammate and current Coach Matthew Primus has nothing but praise for Tredrea, saying he had been the greatest player for the club in its short AFL history and will probably be ranked as one of the greatest players the club ever produced. He said of Tredrea, "During our successful era from 2001 to 2005, I've lost count as to how many games Tredders would have won us off his own boot ... He’s been... an outstanding role model ... for our younger players. What he’s been able to achieve with his body over the years is quite amazing ... He prepares himself like no other player ... and his leadership around the club has been outstanding."
Tredrea refused an offer of a farewell game but will do a lap of honor prior to the Round 18 match. The club will also give him a testimonial dinner in October.
WARREN TREDREA
GAMES: 255
GOALS: 549
HONORS: Best & Fairest 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009; All-Australian 2001-04; International Rules Series 2001-2001; AFL Rising Star nominee 1998; club leading goalkicker 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003-2005, 2009; Premiership 2004; Premiership Captain (Primus was club captain at the time but missed the Grand Final through injury); pre-season Premiership 2002; club captain 2006-2009
Source: sportal.com.au, portadelaidefc.com.au, sen com.au, AFL Record Season Guide 2010
Article last changed on Sunday, August 01, 2010 - 8:28 PM EDT
