AFL great Warren Tredrea has told the Federal Court he is not ‘an entity, legal person, citizen or resident’ as he fights to avoid paying legal costs to Channel Nine.
The former Port Adelaide premiership captain, who lost a $5.77million wrongful dismissal lawsuit against Nine in 2024, returned to court this week claiming he had already settled his debt – but not with any recognised Australian currency.
Instead, Tredrea sent Nine a ‘promissory note’ and argued that, because it wasn’t returned within 72 hours, the debt was legally extinguished.
‘I answer to the name Warren Tredrea of South Australia, a private man, my yes be yes, my no be no,’ he wrote in court documents.
He claimed he could not pay using Australian money because there is no gold or silver coin in circulation, and that no legal debt can be settled without it.
‘I have not been provided with any material facts or evidence that shows there exists any lawful gold or silver coin of substance in common circulation upon which to close, pay and extinguish an account,’ Tredrea argued.
Former Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea maintains he is not a legal person as legal costs dispute deepens
Channel Nine disputes Tredrea’s promissory note, calling it invalid and requesting full payment
‘I believe sincerely that none exists … I believe no gold or silver coin in circulation can pay a debt.’
In 2022, Tredrea was sacked from his $192,500-a-year job as a Channel Nine sports presenter after refusing to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Nine said the termination was due to his public stance against vaccines, which was ‘not particularly well-informed’ and risked reputational damage.
Tredrea denied he was an anti-vaxxer, instead telling the court he was a dedicated journalist who uncovered exclusive stories.
‘I was a presenter who presented, found exclusive stories and distributed them to other workers who won media awards off the back of me,’ he testified during the case.
The Federal Court dismissed his claim in March 2024, saying Nine had acted reasonably in protecting its workforce and reputation.
Justice Geoffrey Kennett found that Tredrea’s refusal to disclose his vaccination status, coupled with his public opposition to mandates, placed the company in a difficult position.
‘Mr Tredrea was a controversial figure who was discussed in other media outlets in a manner that was unwelcome to Channel Nine,’ the judgment said.
The footy great faces growing scrutiny over his off-field behaviour and political views
The court also noted that Tredrea was not displaying the ‘studied neutrality’ expected of a news presenter.
After losing the case, Tredrea filed an appeal which was rejected in November 2024.
In April 2025, the court ordered him to pay Nine’s legal costs for the failed appeal, estimated at between $100,000 and $200,000.
Now representing himself, Tredrea maintains that his promissory note – a written promise to pay in the future – was valid settlement of the debt.
‘I’m not pretending to be anything sovereign or a sovereign citizen – what I’ve done is provide a promissory note for payment,’ he told the court on Tuesday.
He cited several pieces of Federal legislation to support his argument, claiming they allow debts to be resolved through promissory notes.
‘I’ve paid in excess of what they sought… there’s no reason (the case) can’t be discharged right now,’ he said.
Brendan Roberts KC, acting for Channel Nine, rejected the idea that the note constituted valid payment.
Justice Stephen McDonald orders both sides to submit written arguments for further review
He told the court the broadcaster and Tredrea had reached ‘an impasse’ and said the case risked becoming ‘its own cottage industry’.
He asked the court to order a lump sum payment from Tredrea, saying promissory notes had previously been described as ‘somewhere between misguided and disingenuous’.
Roberts also pointed out that Nine had previously offered a reasonable settlement before the appeal, which Tredrea had rejected.
Justice Stephen McDonald directed both parties to file written submissions for review by the Full Court at a later date.
Outside court, Tredrea remained defiant.
‘That’s just a farcical approach and an attempt once again by Channel Nine,’ he said.
‘They threatened me again when these proceedings started – that they wanted to bankrupt me – and that’s what they’re trying to do now.’
Asked about his affidavit denying citizenship, Tredrea cut off reporters.
The former player is a current Port Adelaide board member and has previously clashed with journalists including veteran Caroline Wilson
‘Guys, I answered your questions, thanks,’ he said.
Tredrea, now 46, retired from AFL in 2010 as Port Adelaide’s all-time leading goalkicker and the club’s only premiership captain.
He has since become a member-elected board representative at Port Adelaide, though not without controversy.
Just ten months before being elected, he publicly declared that senior coach Ken Hinkley’s position was ‘untenable’.
He has continued to voice strong views across his social media platforms, including support for Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and Elon Musk.
His political views have caused tension within the club.
Footy journalist Caroline Wilson recently told The Agenda Setters that Tredrea’s commentary and social media activity were ‘raising eyebrows’ at board level.
‘There’s some conspiracy stuff we’re seeing on social media that is most unusual. I think it’s concerning,’ she said.
Tredrea has denied his conduct is dividing the club but has acknowledged ‘doors are closing’ with some former allies.
He was also criticised for a talkback radio segment where he told a caller criticising Hinkley that it was a ‘good call’, later claiming he was simply acknowledging the caller, not endorsing their views.
Tredrea continues to reject suggestions of factions at Port Adelaide.
‘This idea the club is split because of my views is utter nonsense,’ he said in response to Wilson’s comments.
