Matt Rendell...

[Lach72]

Widely accepted body language, tonal and worded accounted behaviour? What the hell are you on about?

I'm basing my opinion on what Rendell actually said which is far more important than whether he paused between answers, brushed his nose or makes eye contact. He isn't a polished tv performer reading from an autocue, he was answering difficult questions under the glare of live TV. Maybe you should go on there sometime and have questions fired at you on live tv and see how comfortable and composed you are.

Ha so true. Bloke thinks he's in an episode of "lie to me".

Rendell's put his version out there. The others are talking with mouthfuls of marbles.

Caro just happened to have a meeting at AFL house, obviously as the AFL's pet rat she's been briefed about the party line. Trigger and Gleeson are talking in riddles crapping on about other things that were said, or the "tone" of the meeting. Now Trigg's comments that he won't spill anything further as it's not kind to Rendell is a mountain of horseshit. An absolute mountain.

They have sacked this guy AND branded him a racist in the public arena. His reputation is torched already. Misfud and Fahour need to be placed in front of media (not from The Age, who are obviously being fed scraps from the king's table), and Caro stop the mealy mouth bullshit and if you have something further, you stick it out there so Rendell can agree or refute it.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Ha so true. Bloke thinks he's in an episode of "lie to me".

Rendell's put his version out there. The others are talking with mouthfuls of marbles.

Caro just happened to have a meeting at AFL house, obviously as the AFL's pet rat she's been briefed about the party line. Trigger and Gleeson are talking in riddles crapping on about other things that were said, or the "tone" of the meeting. Now Trigg's comments that he won't spill anything further as it's not kind to Rendell is a mountain of horseshit. An absolute mountain.

They have sacked this guy AND branded him a racist in the public arena. His reputation is torched already. Misfud and Fahour need to be placed in front of media (not from The Age, who are obviously being fed scraps from the king's table), and Caro stop the mealy mouth bullshit and if you have something further, you stick it out there so Rendell can agree or refute it.

^ This.

I would add further that it is incredible Trigg has said he doesn't want add further as its "it's not kind to Rendell".

Translation: "I don't want to confirm what Rendell said as it will put Demetriou in the poo, and I just don't want to get caught out lying."

The events that Rendell described about his resignation on TV - which is out and out saying Demetriou is spreading untruths - and Trigg doesn't want to add to that for Rendell's good, is a bit hard to swallow.

 

[Fossie 32]

as it has always been the first victim is the truth. the media are in fear of the AFL and Sprigg and Vald are not believable in the least. what a bunch of used car salesmen they turn out to be.

what has really happened here? I am now pretty sure we will never know.

Unless Rendell filed for unfair dismissal? I guess as he actually resigned that might not be possible, but maybe as he was pressured..........

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Unless Rendell filed for unfair dismissal? I guess as he actually resigned that might not be possible, but maybe as he was pressured..........

Vlad has labelled him racist unemployable in the AFL.

He should sue for that.

 

[Snoozer]

Vlad has labelled him racist unemployable in the AFL.

He should sue for that.

No-one believes it though... except the lazy sow at The Age, who wouldn't dare criticise the current regime as it would affect the flow of food into her pig-trough. Everyone of sound mind sees Rendell as a decent, honest bloke with integrity, whose been too hastily sacked.

His performance on Monday night - after being labelled a racist by the AFL - completely turned the tables on Demetriou. And wasn't it great to see.

I'd expect clubs will be lining up to have him on board.

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

Who labelled Rendell a racist?

 

[Jimthegreat]

regardless of whether you call it racist or prejudice, it was still wrong and Rendell doesn't seem to get it. Given all the work the AFL does in indigenous circles his stupid aside to Misfud (while not earth shattering bad) was enough to put him at odds with his employer (AFC).

Since when is the truth wrong. Rendell was speaking the truth. Truth goes beyond anything and if it true it's not simply based on skin color but other things further underlying the culture. Unfortunately you can't tell the truth in this instance because it's not politically correct so you have to lie instead to keep people happy.

Worked it out?

 

[Mr Magic]

^ This.

I would add further that it is incredible Trigg has said he doesn't want add further as its "it's not kind to Rendell".

Translation: "I don't want to confirm what Rendell said as it will put Demetriou in the poo, and I just don't want to get caught out lying."

The events that Rendell described about his resignation on TV - which is out and out saying Demetriou is spreading untruths - and Trigg doesn't want to add to that for Rendell's good, is a bit hard to swallow.

Trigg looks to be hypocritical in this instance. Some said he virtually indicated resign or we will sack you but a bit of transparency would be unkind to Rendell.

I must say, has Trigg worked in the real world???

 

[King Elvis]

Robbo was tight-lipped and announced with the utmost seriousness that there would be breaking developments on this tomorrow.

...whereas in fact he's got SFA and this sheds little to no extra light on the situation.

I expected it to be an expose` on the AusPost/NAB/Fahour/Sponsorship web.

I think that Andrew McCleod understands Matt Rendells comments better than some who condemn him for them. McCleod vouched for Rendell. I,m amazed but once again you have to look at the CEO of the AFL Andrew Dimetriou his reaction to just about everything is shotgun diplomacy he simply jumps at the instant he creates a truth in his own mind and thats that.

McLeod, Clarke and Daryle White have all backed Rendell.

Rendell's explanation of his recruiting of Tim Milera is a very important point that I feel is being looked in all of this - it clearly showed that Rendell understood the issue, and was doing things off of his own bat to try and work with it.


Andy D and Trigg are both making shit up on the fly

They expected to be lauded for taking a tough stance, instead, they're being slammed for it - so they're resorting to vague innuendo and misdirection to try and make themselves look better.

"You can't judge, you don't know all of the facts."

"Tell us them then."

"No, you don't need to know them, just trust us, he said much, much more offensive stuff - which we acted on six weeks after the fact; and which Misfud laughed off with Grant Thomas. Trust us though, they were bad!!"

Get ****ed.

Trigg and Mifsud are both friendly with Rendell.

Do you honestly think they have stitched Rendell up?

I think Trigg has stuffed up by throwing Rendell under the bus - but I believe he did so with the sincere belief that he needed to do it for the good of the AFC; and with immense pressure coming from AFL House to do so.

He's now trying to justify that decision - and the justification isn't matching up; he really should just stand by his original statements; problem is, most people don't think they're anywhere near worthy of knifing Rendell - so they're trying to make the case stronger.

it has been reported today that Mifsud agonised over taking action for weeks. Why is that so hard to believe? After all, he is friends with Rendell, but is employed as an indigenous officer of the AFL.

And yet, according to Grant Thomas, who is a good mate of both parties, when he discussed with the Misfud, Misfud laughed the comments off.


The seriousness of the comments and the offence they created is being deliberately over-stated and strengthened to justify the over the top response - that's obvious.

 

[King Elvis]

If I was any less of an adult, I'd be on Twitter now laying into Mifsud and Fahour about remaining silent when a good man is taking a beating. But I doubt I'd get a response from either of them for a couple of months.

Do it anyway; Fahour will bite.

The AFL and the club asked to go back and think about what he said. After coming back, he said he wouldn't resile.

He wanted to get in front of the media as soon as he became aware of it, to explain himself and the comments.

He was refused that opportunity.

On Footy Classified he never answered promptly to the most pertinent question and when he finally did try to answer... we had 4 seconds pauses.

If you're meaning the 'Two identical players, one black, one white' question, then you're kidding yourself.

That's the kind of bullshit question politicians get asked - there is no correct answer, it's contrived purely to deliver a sound-bite they can use to beat the subject around the head with.

Lyon should be ashamed of himself for even asking it.


Did you see the part of the show where Rendell discussed his recruting of Tim Milera?

Young, chubby aboriginal kid who struggled with the structure and demands of SANFL, let alone AFL, yet Rendell loved him and talked the Crows into recruiting him, and giving him two years so he could hopefully get used to the system in the first year, and see how he went in the second.

Knowing he was a high risk proposition, Rendell put all of the cards on the table, still convinced the Club to recruit him.

He knows the issues a hell of a lot better than almost anybody here, and most in the AFL.

As things stand I don't believe that, as is now being claimed, Rendell indulged in a 20-minute anti-Aboriginal diatribe to an Aboriginal friend, and in front of an AFL multicultural affairs manager he did not know well.

Sounds like bullshit.

 

[CF]

Since when is the truth wrong. Rendell was speaking the truth. Truth goes beyond anything and if it true it's not simply based on skin color but other things further underlying the culture. Unfortunately you can't tell the truth in this instance because it's not politically correct so you have to lie instead to keep people happy.

Worked it out?

I no doubt think Rendell thinks like you. People like you and Rendell will bemoan all this an over reaction in political correctness, as is your usual type of reply in situations like this. But this is not the case at all. The fact that Rendell (and you) cannot even grasp why this comment was wrong shows extraordinary ignorance. Something which is unforgivable for someone who is an AFL recruiter, but forgivable for a BF poster as that is the norm here

 

[Papa G]

Someone said it before, but the sad passing of Jim Stynes is really taking the oxygen out of this issue. It has given the AFL an out and has given the press hacks an out also. In a couple of days it will all be about the Sydney derby and then the media cycle will move on to round 1 proper, poor old Rendell will be forgotton and it will be business as usual at AFL House. I really hope Rendell takes on the AFL to clear his name and someone in the media calls it out for what it is rather than pander to the PC norm and the AFL's agenda - I don't hold out much hope though.

 

[Mr Magic]

The AFL in this Rendell situation has a few problems:

1. Why was it not kept in house? AD virtually when out on the coach and everything is open for discussion. So from know on it is game on regarding transparency and openess airing dirty laundry.

2. atm buy AD going to Adelaide and Trigg pulling the trigger these action jackson guys are the cause of the problem as everything else is hearsay. Who is to say things changed after the meeting with AD and the officer(s)?

3. I only saw snippets of the Rendell interview but Caroline was so emotionally demonstrative words to the effect saying you cannot be sorry she could not be perceived as independent fully.

4. Some of these officers at this commentary event apparently work for AD AFL HQ so where is the independence again???

5. The lack of independence highlights the perception of potential corruption from a created power bubble unchecked.

6. Was Trigg acting soley in the interests of AFC, AD or other interests as everybody seems too connected for my liking.

7. It appears to me some type of body/committee should oversee AD's role and operations and monitor such officers as these indigenuous officers separate from other AFL operations that have separate and possibly conflicting strategic goals so all goals are addressed fairly and independently and to minimise the potential for corruption even if only perceived. It would also be more effective harnessing knowledge to make better decisions from people with differing points of view

 

[Lord Nicholson]

Thomas' track record with his former colleagues would have taken a dint after backing Dean Wallis to the hilt before it was revealed that Wallis flat-out lied.

Nonetheless, this stinks. Bad.

 

[The Final Word]

The AFL in this Rendell situation has a few problems:

1. Why was it not kept in house? AD virtually when out on the coach and everything is open for discussion. So from know on it is game on regarding transparency and openess airing dirty laundry.

2. atm buy AD going to Adelaide and Trigg pulling the trigger these action jackson guys are the cause of the problem as everything else is hearsay. Who is to say things changed after the meeting with AD and the officer(s)?

3. I only saw snippets of the Rendell interview but Caroline was so emotionally demonstrative words to the effect saying you cannot be sorry she could not be perceived as independent fully.

4. Some of these officers at this commentary event apparently work for AD AFL HQ so where is the independence again???

5. The lack of independence highlights the perception of potential corruption from a created power bubble unchecked.

6. Was Trigg acting soley in the interests of AFC, AD or other interests as everybody seems too connected for my liking.

7. It appears to me some type of body/committee should oversee AD's role and operations and monitor such officers as these indigenuous officers separate from other AFL operations that have separate and possibly conflicting strategic goals so all goals are addressed fairly and independently and to minimise the potential for corruption even if only perceived. It would also be more effective harnessing knowledge to make better decisions from people with differing points of view

If you shy away from addressing these issues it will bite you in the are sooner or later. One man's "keeping it in house" is another man's cove up

 

[King Elvis]

regardless of whether you call it racist or prejudice, it was still wrong and Rendell doesn't seem to get it. Given all the work the AFL does in indigenous circles his stupid aside to Misfud (while not earth shattering bad) was enough to put him at odds with his employer (AFC).

So the attrition rate for aboriginal kids from remote communities or traditional aboriginal communities isn't higher than the rest of the League?

There is more to this story than hurt feelings and misunderstandings. Government grant and Australia Post sponsorhip

I think this part of the story is being severely under-reported.

 

[TheTonic]

I no doubt think Rendell thinks like you. People like you and Rendell will bemoan all this an over reaction in political correctness, as is your usual type of reply in situations like this. But this is not the case at all. The fact that Rendell (and you) cannot even grasp why this comment was wrong shows extraordinary ignorance. Something which is unforgivable for someone who is an AFL recruiter, but forgivable for a BF poster as that is the norm here

I don't think there are many that don't acknowledge that Rendell's "white parent's" piece was wrong, offensive. What everyone is outraged about is the fact that a man lost his career and reputation over it. His words were poor... but the facts surrounding the matter are 100% true... recruiters face real problems in recruiting players from remote communities because of the attrition rate.

Do the AFL want to listen to the concerns of the professionals making the decisions and take action in resolving the issue... or is it better to sack the said individual and solve it that way... in the hope that the next guy will be less concerned about the issues, the attrition rate, his kpi's when recruiting players.

Some folk on here are having a real problem separating a few poorly chosen words from the underlying problem which is of much greater concern.

 

[Military_man]

I believe Rendell's story.. Nice mate he has stabbing him in the back like that... Could the AFL be sued over this matter????

 

[King Elvis]

Someone said it before, but the sad passing of Jim Stynes is really taking the oxygen out of this issue. It has given the AFL an out and has given the press hacks an out also. In a couple of days it will all be about the Sydney derby and then the media cycle will move on to round 1 proper, poor old Rendell will be forgotton and it will be business as usual at AFL House. I really hope Rendell takes on the AFL to clear his name and someone in the media calls it out for what it is rather than pander to the PC norm and the AFL's agenda - I don't hold out much hope though.

No disrespect to Stynes, because he deserves all of the accolades and affection his is receiving, but I agree.

 

[CF]

The AFL in this Rendell situation has a few problems:

1. Why was it not kept in house? AD virtually when out on the coach and everything is open for discussion. So from know on it is game on regarding transparency and openess airing dirty laundry.

Demetriou didn't make it public, Misfud did in an interview with a journalist about the Liam Jurrah incident. That is where it first came to light. Misfuds actions need to be investigated that is for sure.

2. atm buy AD going to Adelaide and Trigg pulling the trigger these action jackson guys are the cause of the problem as everything else is hearsay. Who is to say things changed after the meeting with AD and the officer(s)?

Demetriou was going to Adelaide for a meeting anyway, it was just coincidental that this issue was around. But when he heard from Misfud what Rendell said he did ring Trigg and tell him.

6. Was Trigg acting soley in the interests of AFC, AD or other interests as everybody seems too connected for my liking.

Trigg met with Rendell and asked for an explanation and was given one. Trigg asked Rendell to go away and think about what he said and come back to him that day. Later on Rendell returned and handed in his resignation. If Rendell had of been willing swallow his pride the AFC would have kept him on and helped him learn why his comments were bad. But he chose to leave. Trigg or Demetriou did not sack him or push him. I thought Trigg was pretty fair in how he handled it.

7. It appears to me some type of body/committee should oversee AD's role and operations and monitor such officers as these indigenuous officers separate from other AFL operations that have separate and possibly conflicting strategic goals so all goals are addressed fairly and independently and to minimise the potential for corruption even if only perceived. It would also be more effective harnessing knowledge to make better decisions from people with differing points of view

There is a body it called the AFL Commission. Demetriou doesn't have a dictatorship in the AFL, he is only the CEO. Therefore he answers to the board for his actions.

Oh and 2+2=4 mate, not 5!

The only thing that concerns me out of the whole thing is that Misfud knew about this in Dec last year and didn't speak up about it then. That is the real conundrum here that needs an explanation.

the AFL & the AFC acted truly appropriately once the situation was revealed to them.

 

[BrunoV]

It is becoming pretty clear how this actually played out.

Mifsud has miscalculated the extent to which he needed to beat his chest.

It is almost like he took the issues identified by Rendell to the media but sexed them up to provoke a response from the AFL to influence policy change. What he didn't anticipate was the Vlad would come beating his door down demanding names in exchanged for Mifsud's continued employment - this is what I'd say Mifsud agonised over.

Why else would both Thomas and Rendell say that there are no grudges? Thomas may be a bit of a dick at times but he doesn't lie.

 

[Mattrox]

Demetriou didn't make it public, Misfud did in an interview with a journalist about the Liam Jurrah incident. That is where it first came to light. Misfuds actions need to be investigated that is for sure.



Demetriou was going to Adelaide for a meeting anyway, it was just coincidental that this issue was around. But when he heard from Misfud what Rendell said he did ring Trigg and tell him.



Trigg met with Rendell and asked for an explanation and was given one. Trigg asked Rendell to go away and think about what he said and come back to him that day. Later on Rendell returned and handed in his resignation. If Rendell had of been willing swallow his pride the AFC would have kept him on and helped him learn why his comments were bad. But he chose to leave. Trigg or Demetriou did not sack him or push him. I thought Trigg was pretty fair in how he handled it.



There is a body it called the AFL Commission. Demetriou doesn't have a dictatorship in the AFL, he is only the CEO. Therefore he answers to the board for his actions.

Oh and 2+2=4 mate, not 5!

The only thing that concerns me out of the whole thing is that Misfud knew about this in Dec last year and didn't speak up about it then. That is the real conundrum here that needs an explanation.

the AFL & the AFC acted truly appropriately once the situation was revealed to them.

So you have no concerns over potentially corrupt sponsorship deals, nepotism etc? The AFL acted in such an upright and honest manner by appointing the Sponsors brother to the job that very sponsorship created.

They threw Rendell under the bus for saying that the programmes that the AFL are running are not as effective as they should be. This sponsorship and Govt. Grant money is running these programs.

You make AFL house sound squeaky clean, but to me there have been some grubby dealings and cover-ups.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Trigg met with Rendell and asked for an explanation and was given one. Trigg asked Rendell to go away and think about what he said and come back to him that day. Later on Rendell returned and handed in his resignation. If Rendell had of been willing swallow his pride the AFC would have kept him on and helped him learn why his comments were bad. But he chose to leave. Trigg or Demetriou did not sack him or push him. I thought Trigg was pretty fair in how he handled it.

Rendell said he sought to explain himself publicly and was told by Trigg, "It's a bit too late." If Trigg said this, it's damning for he and Demetriou. Unfortunately for their reported friendships, if Trigg and Mifsud's versions aren't tested by Rendell, Rendell is going to come out of this looking the villain.

 

[Hawker55]

Adelaide should have had a transparent inquiry process, suspended him until the results of that process had been arrived at, then dealt with the matter appropriately.

That lack of process is why Rendell is coming out of this looking like a martyr when there's still a significant possibility that he expressed those views.

Mifsud's silence means that we only have Rendells word on what was said, how it was said and what was meant, which is unsatisfactory.

 

[Roby]

Amazing read. So many people thinking a different way to me.

He said something along the lines of "we may end up only drafting indigenous players with one white parent", correct?
What in the world makes him think that having one white parent would be better for the young indigenous man? This line implies that having one white parent would make the player more easily adapt into a football club and its way of life.
All I'll say to this is, there are a helluva lot of bad white parents out there. And by saying that having one white parent might end up being the solution to the problem, Rendell has shown that he does have preconceived notions of people depending on the colour of their skin. As others in this thread have said, most of us do, but actually making a comment like that is horrible, and worth losing your job over, imo.

It's a sad state of affairs. But that's why we have a discrimination acts which makes comments like these completion unacceptable in any way shape or form. This is a good site to have a look at: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/index.html

Is Roby a being paid by the AFL to the the discenting comment?

There is more to this story than hurt feelings and misunderstandings. Government grant and Australia Post sponsorhip, a multicultural officer who has stamp his seal on the job with a scalp, personality clashed with Head Office and Brand image. This is not primarily a racial based situation. It is clear as day that other factors at work, we need a real investigative journalist to ask hard question about money, Indigenous programmes at the AFL and the real atrician rates of young footballers and try to see if there is an issue.

This "he said - she said" back and forth is useless.

I mean as an Indigenous officer or Multicultural officer, you would be offended is someone else told you that programmes you are running are failing the people that they are supposed to support. That is not offence taken on a racist level, it is professional difference of opinion.

What payroll are you on, The X-Files?