David Koch has been accused of “gaslighting” former Port Adelaide star Warren Tredrea.
The former Power captain on Thursday took another swipe at the breakfast TV star as their public war of words reached a new low point.
Tredrea earlier this week made the sensational claim that Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley’s job was “untenable”.
Koch, the president of the football club, then dismissed Tredrea’s comment with a cheeky dig.
The Sunrise host jested that Tredrea’s outspoken comments were said just to promote his new show – the Big Deal Podcast.
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The tensions escalated further on Thursday with Tredrea taking a shot at Koch on his regular radio appearance.
“I can’t ignore multiple times now he’s gaslighting,” Tredrea said on FIVEaa.
“When I went to the board, he told me – not to me – that ‘you need to learn about Port Adelaide’.
“I was like ‘OK, I’ll let that go’, but then yesterday he’s said it’s to get podcast downloads.
“Telling people to get involved in the club and learn about the club, and it’s for a podcast, give us a spell.”
Tredrea’s attempts to be appointed as a director on the club’s board earlier this year made plenty of headlines as the AFL great was rejected by his own club.
Tredrea approached the club in February with his request, but was ultimately told he would have to stand for the position at the club’s members’ elections at the end of the season.
The 44-year-old said Koch is trying to discredit him — and his suggestion the club should consider axing Hinkley just thee rounds into the season.
“Blind Freddy Port supporter knows it’s more than three games,” he said.
“It’s 10 years and three games.
“I’m actually convinced many may not have listened to the whole 18 to 20 minutes of the podcast where I stepped through my reasoning for this.”
Tredrea said his feedback was brutal, which Port Adelaide built its foundation on.
“I’m calling it as I see it,” he said.
“I’ve been a Port kid all my life.
“I can’t sit and watch my club, which I think has slipped … in their decision-making.
“I’m not here to nail Ken, I’m just saying he’s in a situation where it’s untenable.”
Kane Cornes earlier this week also rubbished Tredrea’s calls for the club to take immediate action against Hinkley.
The veteran coach’s future slipped further into uncertainty after the club’s 31-point loss to the Crows in Saturday night’s Showdown.
Port Adelaide has been open about where Hinkley sits with his two-year contract extension expiring at the end of the 2023 season.
Koch said earlier this year, the club would not be discussing Hinkley’s future until August.
That came after a shock claim in February the club already had a plan for assistant coach Josh Carr to take over the top job.
Tredrea admitted in his most recent comments that he and Koch don’t speak to each other.
The club has started its season with one win from the first three rounds.
Despite being premiership teammates, Cornes and Tredrea have on several occasions butted heads in their public commentary of the club.
“He’s kicking with the breeze on this one. It’s a strong breeze,” Cornes said of Tredrea on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.
“That’s the frustration of the Port Adelaide supporters which he’s tapping into. There’s a frustration there for three or four years.
“I don’t think there is a benefit to sack your coach after two poor performances. What is that going to achieve? Who will you give the caretaker role to? He’s suggesting Josh Carr. Is he willing to do it? Are you willing to give up the season two games into it?”
Cornes said Hinkley likely needs to guide the team to the grand final to be safe.
He said locking up Carr now would also take away any opportunity the club had to assess other coaching options that could open up in coming months.
Matthew Lloyd said on the TV show that it was “crazy” to think about sacking Hinkley now.
