Matt Rendell...

[Soul_Pie]

The entire AFL's response to what is an incredibly complicated issue has been at best heavy handed. We're talking about a guy in Matt Rendell who's had over 3 decades involved with football and thrown him out on his arse, allowed the brain dead media to label him a racist, and tarnished his otherwise good reputation forever. Everything else I've heard out of Rendell has been very level headed on every issue including the recruiting of aboriginal players and the problems associated with it.

The thing people need to understand is that Caroline Wilson and all the gutter snipe journalists out there don't want to hear the whole story, they have a vested interest in this becoming a "scandal" and a breaking news story. This is the AFL media's intent at the moment, a kind of Daily Mirror esque dirt finding affair that focuses more attention on off hand comments, creating pretend controversy, bringing larger issues into the game and using football as a means in which to take a moral high ground on an issue with absolutely none of the delicacy and thoughtfulness required. The result is that players, coaches and officials can't have an opinion on anything that might differ slightly from the norm, yet are often lambasted for giving boring and cliched answers to questions.

The whole affair has reminded me once again the trashiness of the AFL media and the want to turn the whole competition into some bizarre soap opera.

 

[Snoop Dog]

That, sir/madam, is what led to the Stolen Generation. Who are white people to say they do it better and that everyone should be like white people?

Pls think about what you write before just blurting it out........I think Matt Rendell's point is that the current system doesnt work. How that equates to being comparable to the 'stolen generation' is farcical and incredibly melodramatic. If in fact your argument is true.....seems Cyril Rioli was happy being a member of the stolen generation as his was the pathway that he is grateful for and for which Matt Rendell was advocating. What makes your comments even more ridiculous are the comments of the Federal Indigenous Health Minister - Warren Entsch, who thinks this is a good idea along with the concept of having a seperate draft.

 

[Rushed_Behind]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Just saw the end of it.

On a side note, does anytone else think Caro looks a good 5 years older than last year and Craigs head and neck have gaine a few centimetres.

Dead-set the ugliest panel for a football show!

I was thinking the same thing, would have to seriously reconsider if an opportunity with her came about.

 

[Rushed_Behind]

I think Rendell deserves this to all be out in the open given what he has gone through.

Firstly we need to hear from Misfud and see if he can confirm what Rendell said on Footy Classified is true.

Then a massive explanation from Demetriou and Trigg as to why they unfairly treated Rendell the way they did.

Sometimes silence says more than 1000 words.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Re: Matt Rendall...

I can't be bothered with you all now. I just now know how Tony Abbott gets so many votes.

Bigger picture people, bigger picture.

ie - I now realise my comments were ill-conceived and want to pull my head in.

 

[aussierulesrules]

There is a good facebook page entitled: "Shut the f**k up Caroline Wilson!"

 

[eldorado]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Please explain why? It seems people here feel sorry for Rendell due to his emotions. His stupid comment is unacceptable in my book. I admit I have high standards when it comes to racism.

Good for you, you hero. So much higher standards than everyone else here?

Your point about Rendell's comment is completely irrelevant if he said no such thing, isn't it?

 

[eldorado]

Re: Matt Rendall...

It was not a genuine apology, which was what the AFL was looking for. Did you not read the post, do I need to show you the video I have recorded.

"Well (PAUSE) I'll say sorry if I offended anyone." Say sorry. Do you need to be told by how many that you offended people? He lost his job is that not enough indication?

Why the **** should he apologise for saying something not in the least bit racist?

If his version of the conversation is correct, he has absolutely nothing to apologise for.

If people are offended because they are in the wrong, because they don't have the right facts, or because their judgements are unfair, that is their problem, not his...

 

[eldorado]

Re: Matt Rendall...

I took it to mean that football departments would start preferring aboriginals with a white parent as opposed to two aborignal parents, not that Rendell himself would do so.

I think any reasonable person would assume this.

Rendell did not suggest such an action was desirable, did not condone such an action, never stated or implied that such an action would be reasonable, never came close to implying that he would consider such an action, and gave every indication that such an action would be a terrible outcome for all...


...yet it is reported as "Rendell says I would only recruit if they have a white parent"

I want to know who is responsible for such a denial of natural justice

EDIT: Sorry for three posts in a row, been out of commission all day, and feel the need to have my say. I'm ethnic, have been lucky enough to have encountered relatively few instances of genuine racism in my life, but enough to genuine despise people who racially discriminate.

There is NO evidence that Rendell has ever been such a person; not in the past, and not in this incident. There are enough racists out there without going on witch-hunts for strawmen...

 

[BrunoV]

This is now making me have a chuckle about the media reactions to Justice Finkelstein inquiry into the media.

The pathetic excuse for a prefession that is journalism scoffed at the suggestions that a regulator should be brought in to oversee the conduct of the media. As per usual the media was crying hysterically about freedom of speech; and alleged conspiracy that ex-judges should be appointed to run the regulator. I recon the last time the media actually fulfilled its role was Watergate, it is a very long time for them to have been useless.

One thing that needs to be made absolutely clear is that freedom of speech needn't go further than we have it in this country - political communications.

Who the **** has defaming the sh1t our of Rendell helped? The only parties I can think of are the bosses of media outlets. I mean if we are being serious, perhaps a curtosy call to Rendell, given the seriousness of the accusations and thier potential defamatory nature, should have been made. Instead, the usual situation has ensued and another "innocent" has been hung, drawn and quartered on bull****.

Journalism is a profession that has confining itself to the gutter of society. I feel sorry that some of the true professionals like Grattan have to be associated with the rest of the pigs.

 

[yebiga]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Well said Eldorado.
People seem incapable of comprehending much without the filtering provided by the media. It is like saying: "if the economy does not pick up the crime rate will increase" and some idiot interprets this as advocating poor people take up crime!!

Lets be honest, they all know he was not being racist. But the media and Andrew are simply moral pygmies. All they know is that it sounds kind of Politically incorrect, could hurt the brand and therefore lets sack/hang him.

Well this was inevitable and there will be more to come.
They may not realise it yet but the hatchet job has been done on Mifsud as well. He will be entirely useless at his job now. They may have to move or promote him to avoid the embarassment.

Oh and the AD might find the sharks start to circle around him as well. Don't be surprised if he announces his preselection for a safe labour seat before the next election. His PC credentials are impeccable. His financial stewardship has been fantastic but his self critical powers are in chronic disrepair.

 

[weevil]

Re: Matt Rendall...

I can't be bothered with you all now. I just now know how Tony Abbott gets so many votes.

Bigger picture people, bigger picture.

That is just pathetic.

No one despises that disgusting slime Abbot more than I do. I absolutely abhor racism.

If Rendell was making racist comments I would be the first one here laying the boot in.

You are just reacting blindly to a headline; you clearly have no understanding of the basic issue.

 

[HFF]

Very compelling television, and he's right.

There is no racism in football, we're too politically correct. Questions can't even be asked, without fear of being branded a racist.

Bingo!

Agree with all of this.

It's a complete and utter joke.

 

[Plugger35]

Why would the AFL do that?

They have established a company line;

Rendell made inappropriate comments
They were brought to AD's attention, he in turn contacted Adelaide
Adelaide raised the matter with Rendell, he chose to resign
AFL is committed to an extremely strong anti-racism policy and have established numerous programs to assist indigenous youth.

End of discussion.

The AFL has nothing to gain by allowing questioning of Mifsud, the 3rd person or indeed of Trigg.

I would think Anderson & Demetriou are the only people likely to be heard on this issue and they will follow the company line I've suggested above.

Presenting anyone else for scrutiny would only allow questions to be asked regarding the 'official' version and that is something the AFL would seek to avoid.

Yeah Demetriou and the AFL probably know they have handled this situation with Rendell badly and are now looking foolish so they will be doing their best to just sweep the whole issue under the carpet as quickly as possible in the hope it will all be forgotten. They won't be keen to discuss it beyond just spouting their usual company line PR drivel.

Without meaning to be tactless, Jim Stynes death has come at the perfect time for Demetriou and the AFL as it's now going to be the major football story for the next few days and will take the spotlight off the Rendell story and the AFL's role in it.

 

[Ron The Bear]

In Caro's defence, she may have been attempting to add some balance to the program, albeit clumsily. The show couldn't afford to be seen as exclusively promoting an anti-AFL stance. Besides, Thomas had that angle well covered with his input - delivered deadpan and leaden with sarcasm. Was in his element.

Enjoyed the show, will watch again although they won't always have such fertile material to work with.

Without meaning to be tactless, Jim Stynes death has come at the perfect time for Demetriou and the AFL

Yes.

 

[Bob Neil]

Heard on the radio (5AA out of Adelaide) that the "third person" in the room was an Ali Fahour.

For those interested about him here's an interesting article http://www.smh.com.au/business/aust...ood-factor-20110513-1emf5.html?skin=text-only

 

[KaaL]

I find it ironic how white people are so sensitive when it comes to racism. I'm from an Asian background and been through some myself. We work hard to fit in and to call australia home. You'll always run into idiots who doesn't want to accept you as an Australian. From what I've seen of Rendall in the interview, he doesn't seem like those idiots. He's either a good actor or was just genuine. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[MattyB_76]

Have we got a name for the mysterious third person/AFL official that Rendell implies ratted on him?

Patrick Smith claims it was Ali Fahour - AFL's National Multiultural Manager, ex Essendon player.

 

[eldorado]

Does anyone believe that the AFL put absolutely no pressure on Adelaide to reach a desired outcome?

 

[longsuffreosupp]

Does anyone believe that the AFL put absolutely no pressure on Adelaide to reach a desired outcome?

still cant understand why it wasn't kept in house..

 

[PrideOf]

Without meaning to be tactless, Jim Stynes death has come at the perfect time for Demetriou and the AFL as it's now going to be the major football story for the next few days and will take the spotlight off the Rendell story and the AFL's role in it.

Thought the same myself, sadly.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Does anyone believe that the AFL put absolutely no pressure on Adelaide to reach a desired outcome?

Yeah....nah.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Without meaning to be tactless, Jim Stynes death has come at the perfect time for Demetriou and the AFL as it's now going to be the major football story for the next few days and will take the spotlight off the Rendell story and the AFL's role in it.

Exactly what I was thinking. He'll probably hide behind all that.
If Demetriou really wants to honour Jimmy, he'll treat Rendell the way Jimmy would have. No way Jimmy would have thrown him under a bus like he has been.
Here is your chance to step up and really show some true leadership, Andrew. Do you have it in you?????? If not, please **** off.

 

[Papa G]

still cant understand why it wasn't kept in house..

Jarrah incident > article in paper on how hard it is for (some)Aboriginies to to come from their communities and play AFL with Misfud quoted as saying a version of Rendell's line > AFL sees hint of percieved racism which would tarnish it's image and demands to know who said it > Misfud under pressure says it was Rendell > Vlad goes to Trigg and demands Rendell's sacking.

 

[Tas]

Would he have been sacked if he hadn't made the jibe about how useless GWS was going to be?