Mega Thread Matt Rendell (Part 2)

[TheStinger]

is it possible that Misfud argued with Rendell in the meeting but Rendell wouldn't listen? Matt can get emotional as we have seen. Then perhaps Misfud cut Matt some slack and didn't report it until Fahour got in his ear and the Liam Jurrah incident brought the issue to a head with Vlad.

It could explain the 6 weeks.

If your supposition were true, I reckon somewhere in Rendell's explanation of the meeting he would have said "We had a good, robust debate about the pros and cons of the idea and it was good stuff."

But he never mentioned anything about Misfud putting forward his own view or telling him he was offended or anything of the sort. I would imagine that no such rigorous debate ever took place. If it had taken place, I bet this whole issue never sees the light of day, because it would have been dealt with then and there.

Not this shemozzle we have now.

 

[Dickie Greenleaf]

Apart from Caro's "independant" article in todays Age, the Melbourne media have largely been silent on this hot potato. Why?

 

[Keys]

Great article in the SMH today, one high profile journalist not afraid of City Hall

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/demetrious-stain-removal-just-wont-wash-20120323-1vpdi.html

Outstanding article

Especially when compared to this dross from AFL house courtesy of Caroline Wilson

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/game-divided-over-mifsud-rendell-20120323-1vpll.html

He said on Thursday night that his friendship with Rendell was something that he would have to deal with. He was not actually pinned on why he waited for five weeks to report Rendell's comments to Demetriou and why Rendell was not first approached and offered mediation before being forced to leave the game. And that is the element of this multi-layered episode that has perplexed Mifsud's detractors this week.

Nobody, including you Caro has tried to pin anybody down on why it took five weeks for Mifsud to come forward and it hasn't even been raised that Fahrour who was also at the meeting seems not to have come forward at all. At least Mifsud's inaction is partly explainable because Rendell was a friend. Fahrour has no such excuse.

Mifsud is a popular member of the AFL team and he is highly respected. Not only Demetriou but the AFL executive were sticking by him like glue and have all week. So were many club officials. But not all. Some were saying they didn't feel they could confide in him any more. Some felt he had dudded his friend.

​

This is a problem for the AFL. A key officer has lost the trust of some AFL club officials becuase they will naturally feel hesitant confiding in Mifsud lest their comments be misinterpreted and they end up getting thrown under the bus several weeks later without even knowing they'd caused offense. How does Mifsud address obstacles if club officials are unwilling to point out those obstacles for risk of offending him.​

But watching him on television clarified the situation. Mifsud is indigenous and he clearly - after some soul-searching - put that ahead of his relationship with Rendell. His father is Maltese and his mother is Aboriginal. She was forced to leave school after grade two and not allowed to vote until after her 40th birthday. He might not come from a remote community but he understands the heart of the issues Liam Jurrah has struggled with.

​

His "interview" clarified nothing. We knew all of that before the interview. ​

When Demetriou demanded he paint a clear picture of what the game was dealing with, Mifsud had to choose between remaining an effective cog in the competition's wheel or taking a stand. He chose his heritage and his role in the game ahead of Rendell. Whatever Rendell has claimed, Adelaide and the AFL were left in no doubt that Mifsud did not hide his displeasure at what was said in their 20-minute meeting last month.

​

So Demetriou demanded a clear picture. Rendell, I'm sure, was trying to provide just that to Mifsud with a warning of what might transpire and look where that got him. Mifsud didn't hide his displeasure? Maybe back in the safety of AFL house, but certainly not in the meeting or just after and certainly not to the Crows since Trigg was unaware of it until Vlad alerted him to it.​

The former Fitzroy captain cut a dramatic and sympathetic figure this week. Clearly he had no concept of the upset he had caused his friend and you can debate whether Mifsud should have protested more loudly at the time. His apologies might have been heartfelt but they were clumsy and conditional although maybe now he has apologised privately to Mifsud.

​

Mifsud has claimed the need to educate. But he didn't have the courage to stand by his beliefs face to face or even to give Rendell a subsequent phone, but he had the "courage" to grandstand to the press to show his commitment to the cause. Rendell got his education at the end of a size twelve boot whilst the rest of the AFL community received the lesson of not to be critical of the AFL.​

If it is true that Adelaide already harboured misgivings about its recruiter and his unacceptable views, then it deserves more scrutiny given that it only recently re-signed him for three years. At the very least the club should have worked to educate him. Hopefully Rendell has learned now, but he has learned the hard way.

​

So know we are told that Adelaide had misgivings about Rendell before this. Really? Are you serious Caro or are the AFL just getting a little touchy that there is genuine concern about the way Rendell was treated.​

Lets see, at first it was the one white parent line that was at issue but Rendell then did a pretty good job of putting that comment in context on Footy Classified so it didn't seem nearly as abhorrent as it did initially. So then the story became that there were other comments, but we aren't going to tell you what they are just trust us they were bad.​

Now there are genuine questions about the fairness of Rendell's treatment being sacked for comments made in a private conversation that he did not intend or realise were offensive and additionally seemed out of character. All of a sudden we are to believe that there were pre-existing concerns about Rendell and Adelaide are being loaded into the gun because they signed him to a new deal despite these concerns.​

I call bullshit.​

And Mifsud? His detractors may see him as a tell-tale, but that shows how little they understand of the task he has taken on and what his family has experienced.

​

Surely part of his task is to get an appreciation of what others perceive the obstacles so that he may address them. He needs to understand why clubs may be reticent to recruit particular players, just as the clubs need to understand what the obstacles are and how they can help players overcome them. It should be a two way flow of information and those discussions need to be frank and honest. It does nobody any good if one party to those discussions is going to get all offended because he doesn't like what he hears and then runs off like a little school boy to tell his dad.​

It is true that Rendell is not alone in the views he communicated that fateful day to Mifsud although maybe those views will become less prevalent now. Even the AFL probably wish the unfortunate situation he then found himself in and and his emotional explanation had not hijacked the bigger picture. But in the end they saw him as collateral damage./QUOTE]

​

So Rendell isn't alone in his views even though we don't really know what those views are (apart from the one white parent comment) and those views will magically become less prevalent despite the broader community not knowing those views or just why they are offensive.​

As for the bigger picture, it wasn't being discussed anyway because the AFL don't want to address why the attrition rate among indigenous players is rising and it certainly won't be now as evryone has seen what happens if you pop your head up with an opinion.​

Thank christ the are a handful of people like Grant Thomas, Sam Newman and Richard Hinds who are prepared to challenge the party line from Vlad and the Kremlin.​

/Rant

 

[Dickie Greenleaf]

Yeah the reason I mentioned Wilson and her one sided, hands on the ears effort, was because if anything it highlighted the huge number of inadequacies at AFL House.

You can only surmise that the authors complete disregard of Rendells version of events vs Mifsuds, is insinuating that Rendell is a liar. Once again showing Caro up as a hack who doesn't present a balanced representation of events or facts as they are in actuality.

The article also throws the glaring spotlight on the AFL's gutless approach to such a relevant issue. Vlad and Co had the perfect opportunity to educate a well meaning but misguided employee and further the cause of an open and understanding relationship between both the Aboriginal and non Aboriginal communities. You can't educate a corpse.

The cynic in me has fuelled the suspicion that the timing and subsequent handling of the Matt Gate affair has utterly obliterated all public discussion on the tragic situation Liam Jurrah now finds himself in.

How convenient.

 

[Contra Mundum]

I find the argument that some of these kids don't cope well in a structured environment because that's not part of their cultural background to be rather insulting actually. Both to me and them. You are basically giving them a cop out to be lazy.

How is not in their culture to have rules and structure? How did they survive for thousands of years with rules in their society? Did they not tell their children not to wander away from the camp after dark because of the snakes? Would someone not be punished if they stole from someone else? There have always been rules in every society in history.

The only thing that I can see that would be a stumbling block to Rendell's plan would be the kids being away from their parents and siblings for such a long time. How about some of the money in the scheme be put to enabling the parents to have contact with their sons every so often? If a kid is struggling, bring their parents to them for a few days or however long it takes to get them through it.

This is nothing like the "Stolen Generation". The parents can have contact with their kids. If they think it isn't working out, they can take them home. If the kid is struggling and doesn't want to stay, he can go home. Better for it to happen then when there has not been a huge financial outlay on them or a waste of a precious draft pick.

But if they stay, they get two or three years of good, solid education. Good coaching from guys who have turned many kids into AFL players already. And a better chance at adapting to AFL life.

Now tell me, how is that a terrible, offensive plan? And if it is, what would you change to make it better? This is the one thing that has bothered me a lot from the start. Mifsud has said he was offended by the whole suggestion, but what part was offensive or what would he do differently?

As usual, there is a lot of rhetoric and no real change.

Adam Goodes was interesting on this. He did not want to be treated any differently. In fact he just wanted to be known as a great football player

 

[PrideOf]

Neil Balme, the voice of reason.

"I get the feeling that Matt Rendell has been assassinated in all this - but that's not dismissing the importance and significance of the whole racial thing - but it seems pretty harsh.

"And I do preface this by saying I really don't know any more about it than anyone who has read the papers ... I know nothing about the lead-in or the background or even how Jason Mifsud feels ... but the essence of nearly all of this racial and religious vilification stuff, and how we work with it, is to fix it, is to help it, is to give people a chance, is to mediate, is to change people's attitudes and change people's behaviours, make people understand."

Told that AFL chief Andrew Demetriou had not closed the door on Rendell returning to the game, Balme said on SEN: "After you shoot him, he's already dead.

Spot on Balmey.

 

[Bone71]

Re: this point of Wilson's article "If it is true that Adelaide already harboured misgivings about its recruiter and his unacceptable views, then it deserves more scrutiny given that it only recently re-signed him for three years. At the very least the club should have worked to educate him. Hopefully Rendell has learned now, but he has learned the hard way."

Hasn't just about everyone involved in this sorry saga stated Rendell is not a racist, Including Mifsud?

Further to this, given that it has been so clear to everyone who knows Matt that he is not a racist, especially his boss and those he had worked with, how could this not be no more than a mediation and education situation?

The constant changes to the story from those trying to justify Rendell's treatment shows that they have an agenda that is not consistent with what we are being told.

 

[The Dodger]

Outstanding article

Especially when compared to this dross from AFL house courtesy of Caroline Wilson

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/game-divided-over-mifsud-rendell-20120323-1vpll.html

/Rant

Was a pretty accurate rant, sums up the questions/thoughts I have on reading those articles.

 

[The Dodger]

This was put to me tonight at the pub ;

Conspiracy theory: Misfud used this situation with Rendell as a smoke screen to take the heat off Jurrah and the endemic violence aboriginal communities. What better way to divert the general communities outrage from the violence (and to what this says about indigenous communities in general) with a little white man racist witch hunt.

again this is not my own thoughts but I'd thought I'd share them with you as I was gob-smacked when I heard that.

Possible? Yes. Probable? Not likely. Mifsud doesn't seem coniving enough. I don't think he's a nice guy, but I don't think he's been saving this for 5 weeks, and then decided 'the time is right'.

I don't think that is far off the mark.
The circumstances that surround Jurrah and other indigenous people are complex to solve. Different people have tried different things at different times and here we are with a young man due to face court because of a serious assault.
Now, someone has a role within the AFL, and the AFL like to look like they are on top of these issues so do you try to sit-down and come up with a solution that could take years, involving lots of people who may not even be involved with the game yet or do you do what you can to be seen as taking a tough stance on the issue?

Far easier and time convenient to create a sacrificial lamb to spill some blood to make the AFL look like they "won't take any of this race based ignorance" and come out all righteous, spouting the various programs they have to help young kids achieve their goal of playing AFL.

 

[Plugger35]

Just when you thought Caro couldn't get any more pathetic she comes up with that "if it is true that Adelaide already harboured misgivings about its recruiter and his unacceptable views" story out of nowhere.

That is just grubby journalism, she has prefaced it with "if it is true" to give her an out in case anyone calls her out on her bullshit but is still insinuating that Adelaide had misgivings about Rendell for having unacceptable racist views when as far as I'm aware that is simply not true. If Adelaide had misgivings about Rendell then surely they wouldn't have signed him for another 3 years.

It is just another red herring that Caro and the AFL have tried to throw into the mix to justify Rendell's treatment. They must take the general public for complete idiots to buy this garbage.

 

[The Dodger]

Loved Grant Hansen's solution: "Rich clubs" need to spend more cash.

Cos mindlessly throwing cash at these issues has worked so well in the past.

And Gilbo proves that having dark skin doesn't make you an expert on racial issues.

Maybe if the the AFL got some intelligent people involved, instead of filling their entire payroll with retired footballers with shit for brains, we might start seeing some progress.

Always think this. Ex-footballers should take up football support roles but hire some outside professional help with community/broader issues. But I guess they make the best parrots "RRAAAAPPP, AFL doing good....RRRRAAAPPPPP" "RRRAAAPPPP, look at the programs to help...RRRRAAAAAPPPP"

 

[The Dodger]

Just when you thought Caro couldn't get any more pathetic she comes up with that "if it is true that Adelaide already harboured misgivings about its recruiter and his unacceptable views" story out of nowhere.

That is just grubby journalism, she has prefaced it with "if it is true" to give her an out in case anyone calls her out on her bullshit but is still insinuating that Adelaide had misgivings about Rendell for having unacceptable racist views when as far as I'm aware that is simply not true. If Adelaide had misgivings about Rendell then surely they wouldn't have signed him for another 3 years.

It is just another red herring that Caro and the AFL have tried to throw into the mix to justify Rendell's treatment. They must take the general public for complete idiots to buy this garbage.

Lame isn't it? If they just kept their mouths shut the questions would die down and people would go away disgruntled in knowing what they have already figured out from the issue. But instead they keep trying to paint over the cracks in the story to make it all seem above board.

 

[murray banks]

Just when you thought Caro couldn't get any more pathetic she comes up with that "if it is true that Adelaide already harboured misgivings about its recruiter and his unacceptable views" story out of nowhere.

That is just grubby journalism, she has prefaced it with "if it is true" to give her an out in case anyone calls her out on her bullshit but is still insinuating that Adelaide had misgivings about Rendell for having unacceptable racist views when as far as I'm aware that is simply not true. If Adelaide had misgivings about Rendell then surely they wouldn't have signed him for another 3 years.

It is just another red herring that Caro and the AFL have tried to throw into the mix to justify Rendell's treatment. They must take the general public for complete idiots to buy this garbage.

This... I never thought Caro could sink any lower. I was wrong. Conveniently covered her arse with "if it is true" preface in case of perhaps legal consequences. Even her Age readers appear to have turned reading comments posted about her, Mifsud and Vlad....

 

[1990crow]

How do we get rid of Vlad and his dictatorship set up to get rid of he people he holds grudges to?

 

[Ron The Bear]

Actually reckon Caro has been reasonably objective on this subject. She has highlighted several facts that would've made Demetriou uncomfortable, and I suspect she knows more about Rendell than she has let on. Whatever the truth, I cannot abide her unprincipled belief that the end (Rendell's sacking) justified the means.

 

[scottwade]

Neil Balme, the voice of reason.
Spot on Balmey.

Indeed.

 

[Mattrox]

I was listening to Rucci on 5AA. His take is that Rendell's academy is akin to assimilation and connotations of the stolen generation. I think his position and if Misfud feels the same way.... or came to that conclusion with Fahour's help then that position is misguided too.

It is wrong to automatically assume that Indigenous people would think a football academy away from their homeland is a bad thing.

1) Remote Indigenous people send their children to boarding school at Year 8 level, younger than the age Rendell has talked about. Kormilda College, St. John's College Darwin and Shalom College Townsville are just 3 off the top of my head that have boarding facilities and cater for Indigenous students. Many students arrive with low English literacy as I have said before, they may know many Indigenous languages though. Boarding is tough for any student not just Indigenous students.

2) Indigenous students have been offered football scholarships in the past and have accepted them and made into the AFL. Cyril Rioli's case was cited by Rendell, and Nathan Djerrkura (WBD) also went to Scotch College.

3) Just as "telling someone what's good for them" and "fixing a problem for someone" is offensive, it is also equally offensive to ASSUME that the scholarship programme or academy is bad idea and Indigenous communities wouldn't like it. The key thing is to ask, take a trip to the remote communities with up and coming footballers and ask if they would be interested in the idea. Get some input before assuming anything. While some Indigenous people might not like the idea of a football academy others might. Just like there is a diversity of opinion and choice in cities, there is a diversity of opinion amongst Indigenous communities.

Clearly now that this has blown up there is Buckley's chance of anything happening quickly. In fact remote communities now have been denied the opportunity of any benefit that could be gained.

Schools that take on remote students need to have proper programmes in place other than just football. As has been pointed out it provides opportunities for cross cultural interations that will help break down the walls of racism and promote Indigenous culture and awareness of Indigenous issues to people who would not usually give a second thought to things beyond their own back yard.

 

[scottwade]

I was listening to Rucci on 5AA. His take is that Rendell's academy is akin to assimilation and connotations of the stolen generation. I think his position and if Misfud feels the same way.... or came to that conclusion with Fahour's help then that position is misguided too.

The AFL are opening an academy in Darwin next year.

TBH the only difference I can see from Rendell's proposal is that he mentioned individual schools and Melbourne and he did that in the context of a conversation he had with Cyril Rioli who, as you point out, relocated to Scotch College.

It can also be revealed that a $15 million centre aimed at equipping indigenous youths from remote communities with the skills to make it in the AFL - to be called the Michael Long Academy - is expected to open in Darwin next year.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...15m-academy-20120316-1vayu.html#ixzz1q1A7obyO
​

 

[caramello]

I watched the FC interview and my take was he was suggesting scholarships for indigenous players.

Call me cynical but why is that a problem when this was announced yesterday, besides the fact that she said the scholarships are for indigenous, multi-cultural and disadvantaged children. Given that the AFL is also contributing money to the program, they obviously don't have a problem with what she is proposing.

http://m.news.com.au/BreakingNews/fi989165.htm

 

[TIM_VUA]

FWIW, listening to Rendell's explanation and the first half of the Marngrook footy show. Amazingly, I think Rendell has a better idea of the problems Indigenous face than the clowns that were on the show that night (except, maybe, for Burns). Rendell was forthright and insightful. The idiots on Marngrook threw up a bunch of race card, AFL arse-kissing poo. The show lowered it colours on thursday. Sam Newman, for all the s*** he gets, expressed more accurately on the subject.

I'm not a big fan of Sam and the Footy show but he was spot on with what he said and the other weak bastards(not players) just sat there and said nothing.
IMO this will kill any real open discussions on the problems on regruiting Indigenous players the with the clubs,surely this will scare anyone from saying anything.
Players get fined etc...yet he gets sacked,what a joke.

 

[Mattrox]

The AFL are opening an academy in Darwin next year.

TBH the only difference I can see from Rendell's proposal is that he mentioned individual schools and Melbourne and he did that in the context of a conversation he had with Cyril Rioli who, as you point out, relocated to Scotch College.

This is why the change in position from "one white parent" to the Marngrook statements about stereotypes to the tweets about assimilation make no sense to me. I don't think Rendell himself would select players on a racial basis, his record would support it. Speaking in hyperbole may not be the best way with 'officials' because hyperbole can be re-presented as his opinion. In my mind he has been assasinated as Balme says.... This has been my opinion for a while.

 

[SydCrow]

I watched the FC interview and my take was he was suggesting scholarships for indigenous players.

Call me cynical but why is that a problem when this was announced yesterday, besides the fact that she said the scholarships are for indigenous, multi-cultural and disadvantaged children. Given that the AFL is also contributing money to the program, they obviously don't have a problem with what she is proposing.

http://m.news.com.au/BreakingNews/fi989165.htm

well there can't be anything wrong with scholarships per se if the PM just announced them in the name of Jim Stynes

so what exactly was Rendell's hanging offence again?

 

[RectiationD]

The Marngrook Footy Show had an interview with Jason Misfud and discussed the issues about it all.

[youtube]rLENIo1mMss[/youtube]

Racist much??

 

[SydCrow]

Racist much??

never cross a Maltese

to paraphrase Jason:

gee, aren't we doing a good job with indigenous footballers, getting rid of Matt Rendell is a "breakthrough performance" for the AFL (FFS), we need to take the opportunity to role out a curriculum across the industry, kick start for U15s, spend more money, employ more people etc etc etc

an uneasy conversation we have had to have, people need to be factual and objective (LOL)

basically the whole thing is an ad for the AFL and what a fantastic job we are doing

Ronnie dodn't get the script obviously

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Re Sam Newman.

I felt his editorial was an attack on TFS itself. Nobody would bite. No other panelist gave it any oxygen. Newman knew this would happen. He knows whats on the agenda before the show starts. And I reckon when he knew they were too gutless to mention the Rendell saga, he said "OK, but I am going to say something."

BTW, Rendell got plenty of high profile ex indigenous players openly supporting him because he had helped and tutored them along the way and they weren't too proud to say they were grateful for that. How many indigenous players supported Mifsud the same way? I don't think I heard one.