Mega Thread Matt Rendell situation thread #2

[Northalives]

I think that Matt was crucified because he seems to think that the attrition rate is with indigineous recruits is getting worse, who has been banging the drum to the AFL and says that if action is taken to help this issue, recruiters will look at players who have more modern lifestlye perhaps having a one caucasion parent that may be a requirement for future recruitment of players....thats not being a rascist......it how it may effects his decisions in future if this issue is not attended to.

what he was trying to convey that if a player had a white parent, the player would have had a better upbringing.....theoretically.....therefore reducing the attrition rate.

No, not a better upbringing; a white fellas upbringing!

Rendell and the clubs, all the clubs, should start to try and educate themselves as to what it means to be Aboriginal and the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an Aboriginal.

The cultural aspects of the many, many Aboriginal regional groups are very complex and if the AFL clubs want to recruit hugely talented Aboriginal players, then it is they, the clubs, that need to be understanding and be sensitive to the way it is within Aboriginal societies.

To suggest, that as a last resort, the clubs would only recruit Aboriginals with a white parent so as to get rid of the problem of black fellas dropping off AFL lists is a **** ing disgrace.

Maybe Mr. Rendell and some of you lot around here, should start sending emails to your club and the AFL suggesting that they should scour our vast land and identify 12 to 15 year old Aboriginal kids with that "something special". Once these kids have been identified, they should be taken from their families, by force if need be, and given to lovely white families in another part of the country to groom them to become wonderful AFL players we can all drool over and be proud of. That's not being racist hey? It's good for them and us.

 

[Cap]

are you suggesting AFL needs a complete overhaul in order to meet the needs of aboriginal players rather than whomever it it meets now? (i'm assuming every other culture, colour and creed which plays the game)

I don't even want to go down that path and what that would mean.

 

[afc1991]

No, not a better upbringing; a white fellas upbringing!

Rendell and the clubs, all the clubs, should start to try and educate themselves as to what it means to be Aboriginal and the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an Aboriginal.

The cultural aspects of the many, many Aboriginal regional groups are very complex and if the AFL clubs want to recruit hugely talented Aboriginal players, then it is they, the clubs, that need to be understanding and be sensitive to the way it is within Aboriginal societies.

To suggest, that as a last resort, the clubs would only recruit Aboriginals with a white parent so as to get rid of the problem of black fellas dropping off AFL lists is a **** ing disgrace.

Maybe Mr. Rendell and some of you lot around here, should start sending emails to your club and the AFL suggesting that they should scour our vast land and identify 12 to 15 year old Aboriginal kids with that "something special". Once these kids have been identified, they should be taken from their families, by force if need be, and given to lovely white families in another part of the country to groom them to become wonderful AFL players we can all drool over and be proud of. That's not being racist hey? It's good for them and us.

Please, stop posting. Your like caro, fingers in ears.

 

[n4sir]

I don't really understand why Jason Mifsud hasn't had to tell his side of the story. I would be good to either have to give his version. Whether it's because he's been told to keep mum by the afl or whether he doesn't want to throw Rendell further under the bus. .... If that's even possible.

It seems pretty obvious that he wasn't afronted at the time.

This. Maybe there is the remote possibility that Jason Mifsud may have been genuinely offended by Rendell's comment (even if taken way out of context), perhaps much more so than MR thinks given he still says they are mates. That said it really doesn't make an awful lot of sense how this could snowball into such a mess which doesn't help anyone or the issue at its heart. Still shaking my head at the whole thing.

 

[Filthy Fielke]

No, not a better upbringing; a white fellas upbringing!

Rendell and the clubs, all the clubs, should start to try and educate themselves as to what it means to be Aboriginal and the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an Aboriginal.

The cultural aspects of the many, many Aboriginal regional groups are very complex and if the AFL clubs want to recruit hugely talented Aboriginal players, then it is they, the clubs, that need to be understanding and be sensitive to the way it is within Aboriginal societies.

To suggest, that as a last resort, the clubs would only recruit Aboriginals with a white parent so as to get rid of the problem of black fellas dropping off AFL lists is a **** ing disgrace.

You've pretty much summed up Rendell's argument while thinking you're arguing against it.

 

[Campbell's Chunky]

No, not a better upbringing; a white fellas upbringing!

Rendell and the clubs, all the clubs, should start to try and educate themselves as to what it means to be Aboriginal and the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an Aboriginal.

The cultural aspects of the many, many Aboriginal regional groups are very complex and if the AFL clubs want to recruit hugely talented Aboriginal players, then it is they, the clubs, that need to be understanding and be sensitive to the way it is within Aboriginal societies.

To suggest, that as a last resort, the clubs would only recruit Aboriginals with a white parent so as to get rid of the problem of black fellas dropping off AFL lists is a **** ing disgrace.

Maybe Mr. Rendell and some of you lot around here, should start sending emails to your club and the AFL suggesting that they should scour our vast land and identify 12 to 15 year old Aboriginal kids with that "something special". Once these kids have been identified, they should be taken from their families, by force if need be, and given to lovely white families in another part of the country to groom them to become wonderful AFL players we can all drool over and be proud of. That's not being racist hey? It's good for them and us.

Lol good one mate. This all breezed over your head?

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

This. Maybe there is the remote possibility that Jason Mifsud may have been genuinely offended by Rendell's comment (even if taken way out of context), perhaps much more so than MR thinks given he still says they are mates. That said it really doesn't make an awful lot of sense how this could snowball into such a mess which doesn't help anyone or the issue at its heart. Still shaking my head at the whole thing.

I don't know Misfud at all, but wasn't his intention to use the quote to highlight the growing issue of attrition rates and the need to support young indigenous footballers entering the pathway?

Instead when he raised the comment, the powers that be at AFL House took a different view of it. Instead of saying 'we need do something about fixing the problem' they said 'we need to get rid of the person saying this.'

So Jason's intentions may have been similar to Rendell's and he perhaps didn't realise what others would make of them, or the reaction of his bosses.

 

[Magma]

No, not a better upbringing; a white fellas upbringing!

Rendell and the clubs, all the clubs, should start to try and educate themselves as to what it means to be Aboriginal and the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an Aboriginal.

The cultural aspects of the many, many Aboriginal regional groups are very complex and if the AFL clubs want to recruit hugely talented Aboriginal players, then it is they, the clubs, that need to be understanding and be sensitive to the way it is within Aboriginal societies.

To suggest, that as a last resort, the clubs would only recruit Aboriginals with a white parent so as to get rid of the problem of black fellas dropping off AFL lists is a **** ing disgrace.

Maybe Mr. Rendell and some of you lot around here, should start sending emails to your club and the AFL suggesting that they should scour our vast land and identify 12 to 15 year old Aboriginal kids with that "something special". Once these kids have been identified, they should be taken from their families, by force if need be, and given to lovely white families in another part of the country to groom them to become wonderful AFL players we can all drool over and be proud of. That's not being racist hey? It's good for them and us.

if you dont understand his point i suggest you dont post on it.

oh wait too late for that.

 

[Filthy Fielke]

I don't know Misfud at all, but wasn't his intention to use the quote to highlight the growing issue of attrition rates and the need to support young indigenous footballers entering the pathway?

Instead when he raised the comment, the powers that be at AFL House took a different view of it. Instead of saying 'we need do something about fixing the problem' they said 'we need to get rid of the person saying this.'

So Jason's intentions may have been similar to Rendell's and he perhaps didn't realise what others would make of them, or the reaction of his bosses.

This is my interpretation of events too. I actually think Misfud was reiterating Rendell's point. There's also no doubt in my mind that Misfud is being gagged by the AFL.

 

[Campbell's Chunky]

I don't know Misfud at all, but wasn't his intention to use the quote to highlight the growing issue of attrition rates and the need to support young indigenous footballers entering the pathway?

Instead when he raised the comment, the powers that be at AFL House took a different view of it. Instead of saying 'we need do something about fixing the problem' they said 'we need to get rid of the person saying this.'

So Jason's intentions may have been similar to Rendell's and he perhaps didn't realise what others would make of them, or the reaction of his bosses.

This. Rendell said Mifsud totally agreed with him.

I love how Caro insinuated last night that this mysterious third person wanted to belt Rendell over the head.

What, for suggesting these kids need to be nurtured into the system at an earlier age to stand the best chance of surviving the tough AFL environment?

 

[afc1991]

This is my interpretation of events too. I actually think Misfud was reiterating Rendell's point. There's also no doubt in my mind that Misfud is being gagged by the AFL.

This & this.

 

[n4sir]

I don't know Misfud at all, but wasn't his intention to use the quote to highlight the growing issue of attrition rates and the need to support young indigenous footballers entering the pathway?

Instead when he raised the comment, the powers that be at AFL House took a different view of it. Instead of saying 'we need do something about fixing the problem' they said 'we need to get rid of the person saying this.'

So Jason's intentions may have been similar to Rendell's and he perhaps didn't realise what others would make of them, or the reaction of his bosses.

This is my interpretation of events too. I actually think Misfud was reiterating Rendell's point. There's also no doubt in my mind that Misfud is being gagged by the AFL.

This. Rendell said Mifsud totally agreed with him.

I love how Caro insinuated last night that this mysterious third person wanted to belt Rendell over the head.

And that's what I mean about that remote possibility that Mifsud was offended not making a lot of sense, although as you mentioned Caro insinuated on FC that this third person in the room was offended and thought Mifsud should have been too. More mixed messages to add to the mess.

 

[WALL-e]

I don't know Misfud at all, but wasn't his intention to use the quote to highlight the growing issue of attrition rates and the need to support young indigenous footballers entering the pathway?

Instead when he raised the comment, the powers that be at AFL House took a different view of it. Instead of saying 'we need do something about fixing the problem' they said 'we need to get rid of the person saying this.'

So Jason's intentions may have been similar to Rendell's and he perhaps didn't realise what others would make of them, or the reaction of his bosses.

My thoughts too.

This. Rendell said Mifsud totally agreed with him.

I love how Caro insinuated last night that this mysterious third person wanted to belt Rendell over the head.

What, for suggesting these kids need to be nurtured into the system at an earlier age to stand the best chance of surviving the tough AFL environment?

Couldn't help but get a sthorths (source) into the program.

 

[Jars458]

This. Rendell said Mifsud totally agreed with him.

I love how Caro insinuated last night that this mysterious third person wanted to belt Rendell over the head.

What, for suggesting these kids need to be nurtured into the system at an earlier age to stand the best chance of surviving the tough AFL environment?

Was apparantly Misfud's colleague, Ali Fahour. This is from Patrick Smith's column in today's Australian.

I think Matt has been dealt with harshly from a comment which he didn't mean to be racist.

However I can also see that even in context, his comment be seen as suggesting that if a black person has one white parent they will find it easier to cope with the AFL than if they had two black parents, that is they are superior in certain ways. That is racial in nature, regardless of whether it was intended to be so or not.

Given the AFL's reaction (AD mostly), I can see that Triggy may have been put in a situation where he felt that he had no choice but to react swiftly for fear of the club being seen as condoning racism.

Matt himself seems to concede that juding by his own comments.

Trigg now needs to come out and say exactly what the AFL said to him and explain in more depth now why he made the decision he did. I have no doubt he did it for the best interests of the club as he saw them. Anyone suggesting otherwise I think is very harsh.

However if he can't explain it in more detail, he will have to cop the rage and criticism given he chose to act so swiftly.

I do not trust AD though and his comments during the week were inflammatory and the whole leaking of the issue to the Age and handling of its aftermarth has been poor from the AFL, to say the least. I think he has been disinegenious at best in this whole affair which is now completely out of control.

Its a really sad incident for footy.

 

[WhySoSerious]

No, not a better upbringing; a white fellas upbringing!

Rendell and the clubs, all the clubs, should start to try and educate themselves as to what it means to be Aboriginal and the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an Aboriginal.

The cultural aspects of the many, many Aboriginal regional groups are very complex and if the AFL clubs want to recruit hugely talented Aboriginal players, then it is they, the clubs, that need to be understanding and be sensitive to the way it is within Aboriginal societies.

To suggest, that as a last resort, the clubs would only recruit Aboriginals with a white parent so as to get rid of the problem of black fellas dropping off AFL lists is a **** ing disgrace.

Maybe Mr. Rendell and some of you lot around here, should start sending emails to your club and the AFL suggesting that they should scour our vast land and identify 12 to 15 year old Aboriginal kids with that "something special". Once these kids have been identified, they should be taken from their families, by force if need be, and given to lovely white families in another part of the country to groom them to become wonderful AFL players we can all drool over and be proud of. That's not being racist hey? It's good for them and us.

You're exactly right about the understanding of clubs and the AFL. But the clubs will not change or get lighter, its going to get harder and harder in all aspects. Like it or not its business - and if players cant perform to their standards (whether its how they conduct themselves off-field, see the stir around Vince. Or how they approach training) the clubs simply wont take the chances anymore. Theres too much at stake.

As for upbringing - I think your missing the entire point. Its not a quesion of better upbringing in terms of ethics or morality. Its about upbringing in terms of being able to cope with life as an AFL footballer and its not just to do with football. Most kids struggle with the demands of AFL football, yet alone kids who come from a style of life where theres a different set of priorities and culture. Noone is forcing anyone to play AFL football, but the AFL should be giving everyone an equal opportunity; indigenous or not. A scholarship program would make the transition period alot easier for indigenous kids coming through the system who want to play AFL. Why chuck them straight into the deep end? How is that fair? Theres alot of kids out there (black and white) that can seriously play. But they will struggle. Find ways to make it easier for these kids. If it really is an issue stop making people to blame and find solutions!

 

[Drakescoffeecake]

No, not a better upbringing; a white fellas upbringing!

Rendell and the clubs, all the clubs, should start to try and educate themselves as to what it means to be Aboriginal and the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an Aboriginal.

The cultural aspects of the many, many Aboriginal regional groups are very complex and if the AFL clubs want to recruit hugely talented Aboriginal players, then it is they, the clubs, that need to be understanding and be sensitive to the way it is within Aboriginal societies.

To suggest, that as a last resort, the clubs would only recruit Aboriginals with a white parent so as to get rid of the problem of black fellas dropping off AFL lists is a **** ing disgrace.

Maybe Mr. Rendell and some of you lot around here, should start sending emails to your club and the AFL suggesting that they should scour our vast land and identify 12 to 15 year old Aboriginal kids with that "something special". Once these kids have been identified, they should be taken from their families, by force if need be, and given to lovely white families in another part of the country to groom them to become wonderful AFL players we can all drool over and be proud of. That's not being racist hey? It's good for them and us.

Wtf? Have you not been awake in the past 16 hours?

 

[aussierulesrules]

However I can also see that even in context, his comment be seen as suggesting that if a black person has one white parent they will find it easier to cope with the AFL than if they had two black parents, that is they are superior in certain ways. That is racial in nature, regardless of whether it was intended to be so or not.

No-one's suggesting that they are "superior", just that they might have a superior chance/likelihood of being able to handle the reportedly massive adjustments needed to get used to life at an AFL club, because at least one of their parents is likely to know what it takes to live in the "big smoke".

Just like how someone who had one indigenous parent and one "white" parent would be more likely to be able to handle the opposite move, from the big city to a remote indigenous community, than someone who had two "white" parents, who only know about living in a city/suburban environment.

You're exactly right about the understanding of clubs and the AFL. But the clubs will not change or get lighter, its going to get harder and harder in all aspects. Like it or not its business - and if players cant perform to their standards (whether its how they conduct themselves off-field, see the stir around Vince. Or how they approach training) the clubs simply wont take the chances anymore. Theres too much at stake.

As for upbringing - I think your missing the entire point. Its not a quesion of better upbringing in terms of ethics or morality. Its about upbringing in terms of being able to cope with life as an AFL footballer and its not just to do with football. Most kids struggle with the demands of AFL football, yet alone kids who come from a style of life where theres a different set of priorities and culture. Noone is forcing anyone to play AFL football, but the AFL should be giving everyone an equal opportunity; indigenous or not. A scholarship program would make the transition period alot easier for indigenous kids coming through the system who want to play AFL. Why chuck them straight into the deep end? How is that fair? Theres alot of kids out there (black and white) that can seriously play. But they will struggle. Find ways to make it easier for these kids. If it really is an issue stop making people to blame and find solutions!

Very well said.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Nice work with the poll options!

 

[WALL-e]

A poll has been added to help meet demand and keep things neat at the same time.

 

[Jars458]

No-one's suggesting that they are "superior", just that they might have a superior chance/likelihood of being able to handle the reportedly massive adjustments needed to get used to life at an AFL club, because at least one of their parents is likely to know what it takes to live in the "big smoke".
Just like how someone who had one indigenous parent and one "white" parent would be more likely to be able to handle the opposite move, from the big city to a remote indigenous community, than someone who had two "white" parents, who only know about living in a city/suburban environment.

I hear what you are saying, but potentially succesful aboriginal fotoballers with two black parents, to take Matt's remark to the extreme, would never be drafted BECAUSE they didn't have a white parent. That's racist. Matt didn't mean it that way but both Trigg and he could see what an issue this would become.

 

[Northalives]

You've pretty much summed up Rendell's argument while thinking you're arguing against it.

How blinkered are you lot? No one is arguing about the need for the AFL and the clubs to be more sensitive about the needs of Aboriginal's, well, not the fair minded people anyway.

The issue here is the completely racist comment about "one white parent" and as Mr. Rendell explained last night, that may be the only answer if the clubs and the AFL don't do anything about it. The point is, doing as he suggests he or some may do as a last resort if this isn't attended to is racism pure and simple.

Don't you understand that the mere thought that having only one white parent would make a difference is reprehensible: to state that in front of AFL employees whose job it is to bring people together is indefensible.

That's the issue and all Rendell did last night was make salient points about the need to reform the clubs and the AFL's approach but that does not exonerate him from making a blatant racist remark.

 

[JP Sauce]

Haha great poll.

Tough choice between 2 of the options.

 

[Freddy Bassett]

How blinkered are you lot? No one is arguing about the need for the AFL and the clubs to be more sensitive about the needs of Aboriginal's, well, not the fair minded people anyway.

The issue here is the completely racist comment about "one white parent" and as Mr. Rendell explained last night, that may be the only answer if the clubs and the AFL don't do anything about it. The point is, doing as he suggests he or some may do as a last resort if this isn't attended to is racism pure and simple.

Don't you understand that the mere thought that having only one white parent would make a difference is reprehensible: to state that in front of AFL employees whose job it is to bring people together is indefensible.

That's the issue and all Rendell did last night was make salient points about the need to reform the clubs and the AFL's approach but that does not exonerate him from making a blatant racist remark.

Ive asked you nicely, please go away....

By having an u16 carnival to identify the best Indigenous talent and offering them scholarships to school's most of us could only dream of attending is racist, then I see your point.

 

[MarcusP2]

The problem is the implication that the alternative would be to draft kids with 'white' parents, as if that would have the same affect as the scholarships idea.

 

[WALL-e]

How blinkered are you lot? No one is arguing about the need for the AFL and the clubs to be more sensitive about the needs of Aboriginal's, well, not the fair minded people anyway.

The issue here is the completely racist comment about "one white parent" and as Mr. Rendell explained last night, that may be the only answer if the clubs and the AFL don't do anything about it. The point is, doing as he suggests he or some may do as a last resort if this isn't attended to is racism pure and simple.

Don't you understand that the mere thought that having only one white parent would make a difference is reprehensible: to state that in front of AFL employees whose job it is to bring people together is indefensible.

That's the issue and all Rendell did last night was make salient points about the need to reform the clubs and the AFL's approach but that does not exonerate him from making a blatant racist remark.

If I have to read too much more of your posting I'm going to jump off a sky scraper.

That doesn't make me suicidal, but rather I'm going to an extreme to point out how bad your posting is.

Oh god, he said salient.....