Australian Football

A pacy wingman with a touch of class, Simon Tregenza caught the eye from the very outset of his career with his penchant for embarking on long, sinuous runs into the forward lines. He commenced in the SANFL with Port Adelaide in 1988 and became a first choice senior player the following year. At the end of the 1989 season he starred in the grand final demolition of North Adelaide, the first of four premiership successes he was to enjoy with the Magpies.

Tregenza’s eye catching form in 1989-90 led to his being drafted by Adelaide as part of the club’s inaugural AFL list. He hit the ground running and was a key player from the start as well as for much of the remainder of his career, although disappointingly he failed to front up for either of the Crows’ back to back premiership triumphs in 1997-8 because of soft tissue injury concerns. When he left the Crows at the end of the 1998 season he had played 106 AFL games for them and kicked 16 goals. When Adelaide selected an official ‘Team of the Decade 1991 to 2000’ Simon Tregenza was included in his customary wing position.

Meanwhile Tregenza’s SANFL career with Port continued until 2000, by which time he had registered 107 games and 67 goals. He also played three state of origin matches for South Australia highlighted by a Fos Williams Medal win against Victoria in 1995.

Author - John Devaney