Matt Rendell...

[Southerntakeover]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Well, every now and then my faith in BigFooty is restored. Only post with any thought and intelligence on this entire thread.

I suggest people should also consider this legally - both the AFL and Adelaide would have have already have multiple law suits filed against it for unlawful discrimination by Aboriginal human rights groups and every single aboriginal kid without a "white parent" who tried and failed to get drafted over the last 7 years. And they would've all been successful.

Rendall may not be a racist. But what he said was paternalistic, old fashioned and misguided. Context and squirming on the nuances of the interpretation of what he said is irrelevant. After all, wasn't the idea of taking aboriginal kids away from black parents into "good white homes" in the big smoke what the whole Stolen Generation bemoan, for which our federal government apologised a couple of years ago?

How ignorant, un-educated, simplistic and moronic are most people on here?

I dont think you have even a functional knowledge of anti discrimination legislation.

 

[Suspense]

Re: Matt Rendall...

he insinuated (and failed to retract the statement) that white parents are fitter parents than indigenous parents.

no, he didn't.

his comment was in relation to the fact that football clubs have poor retention rates of aboriginal players who do not have at least one white parent, not a comment/judgement on the quality of parenting of aboriginals nor a denigration of aboriginal culture.

You're being wilfully blind if you can't recongise the latent bigotry in that.

imo you are having trouble understanding what his actual point was because you aren't overly bright.

 

[western royboy]

Re: Matt Rendall...

It's amazing how people hear things differently. Having watched all the interviews and listened intently, I can't find any fault with Matt Rendell, he has used the throwaway line as a way of highlighting what the system might get to unless something is done. I also have little problem with what Jason Mifsud has done, he's simply used the line as a way of highlighting the problem.

I have a huge issue with the way Vlad has reacted and the pressure put on the Crows to sack Rendell. The journo involved (think it was Michael Gleeson) should also be more than a bit remorseful for his role in this.

Vlad's version seems totally incongruous with wht Matt Rendell said so either he or Trigg are telling pork pies.

Caro for all her failings, put in a worst on ground performance last night and Lyon was not much better.

A good man has been lost to the game and tarnished unfairly by political correctness gone mad.

So who amongst the media is going to have the cajones to call Vlad on this? If Matt Rendell has to walk for this then someone else needs to go as well.

Bet nothing happens.

 

[weevil]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Go back and see what Rendall says he said - albeit after all this has come out? Of course he's going to find an interpretation that suits him. If he and Mifsud are still "mates" as he suggests, then Mifsud wouldn't deliberately be setting him up.

He said if the AFL does not better support young aboriginal players from remote communities then they will continue to struggle to integrate into the AFL system. To the point that recruiters will see them as an unacceptable risk. He said things will get so bad that recruiters will not touch a player unless they have a white parent.

He never said that was a good thing, he said it would be a very bad thing. He was trying to get the AFL to act faster to help young aboriginal players.

Jesus Christ, the reaction to this is unbelievably hysterical.

 

[Baldur]

Re: Matt Rendall...

He said:

He suggested that the race of the parents would be a factor in drafting decisions. More to the point, that having a white parent should be considered a benefit. I'm sure he would have worded his point more carefully if he could he have his time over again, but the insinuation is clear and you're doing yourself a disservice by arguing otherwise.

And the Adelaide football department is so weak that it bases its employment strategy - including sacking a man who has offered them years of service - on passing comments made by Demetriou in a radio interview? If that were truly the case (and I don't believe it is), then the Crows are far more cowardly and reprehensible than the AFL are.

Again, I don't believe he meant it maliciously, but the suggestion is clear enough: if we take aboriginal footballers out of their communities and put them into (predominantly) white schools, far away from their families, they stand a far better chance of being successful. I think we all know where we've heard this train of logic before, so I won't labour the point.

Joined 2003 & still an apprentice, yet post after post on this subject defending the AFL & continuing the misrepresentation of what Randell said. Something fishy here.

 

[evo]

Re: Matt Rendall...

I must admit, im the first to condemn racism when I see it.

But the day comments like this get a bloke fired, is a pretty dark day.

Aside from a dubious implication (almost certainly said to get a point across) there really wasnt much there. Taking into account the blokes work with indigenous footballers (and I particularly note the support he recieved from McLeod) to nail a bloke to the wall for a poorly thought out throw away line lacking any malicious intent is pretty rotten.

Overreactions like these do more harm than help.

Haha, I've seen it all

Jeebus Malifice. Don't you realise that you are exactly the sort of politically-correct knee jerk reactionary that gives rise to good people like Rendell being thrown under the bus for political expediency.

Vlad was appealing to exactly clowns like you. Scapegoat first, find out the truth later.

 

[krisholio14]

Re: Matt Rendall...

The media were pretty quick to blow the whole thing out of proportion too.

 

[weevil]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Again, I don't believe he meant it maliciously, but the suggestion is clear enough: if we take aboriginal footballers out of their communities and put them into (predominantly) white schools, far away from their families, they stand a far better chance of being successful. I think we all know where we've heard this train of logic before, so I won't labour the point.

Yes they will have a far better chance of being successful in an incredibly tightly structured, predominantly white AFL system.

The AFL system is absolutely rigid and totally, utterly different from life in remote communities.

My god he is trying to come up with ways of making the transition easier and you are saying that is racist.

 

[Unnamed1]

Re: Matt Rendall...

I dont think you have even a functional knowledge of anti discrimination legislation.

OK let be quote the UN International Convention on Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination on which our anti discrimination is necessarily based (as Australia is a party to this Convention):

"racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life."

Exactly how is proposing that AFL clubs (like his own) will prefer to draft an aboriginal kid with one white parent over an aboriginal kid without a white parent not discriminatory based on that definition? I think I have demonstrated more than a functional knowledge of unlawful discrimination and anti discrimination legislation. If you still can't get your head around it, let me know! Alternatively, have a look here: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/index.html

 

[Hahndozer]

Re: Matt Rendall...

And the Adelaide football department is so weak that it bases its employment strategy - including sacking a man who has offered them years of service - on passing comments made by Demetriou in a radio interview? If that were truly the case (and I don't believe it is), then the Crows are far more cowardly and reprehensible than the AFL are.

I also don't think the crows did it based purely on the radio comments. I just find it hard to believe there was no AFL involvement in the decision where the sequence of events (in quick succession) were:
1. Demetriou makes comments on the radio that a recruiter from a particular club should start looking for a new job.
2. Demetriou has a meeting with said club.
3. Rendell "resigns".

Don't think people necessarily need to be wearing tinfoil hats to think there was a degree of AFL involvement in the decision.

 

[Necromancer Beth]

So many misguided people on here. Rendell's comments were completely taken out of context and blown up by the media. Storm in a teacup and he has been hung out to dry.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Re: Matt Rendall...

He said if the AFL does not better support young aboriginal players from remote communities then they will continue to struggle to integrate into the AFL system. To the point that recruiters will see them as an unacceptable risk. He said things will get so bad that recruiters will not touch a player unless they have a white parent.

He never said that was a good thing, he said it would be a very bad thing. He was trying to get the AFL to act faster to help young aboriginal players.

Jesus Christ, the reaction to this is unbelievably hysterical.

Yep.

I couldn't understand either. The guy has recruited many aboriginal players and has strong relationships with many.

He was actually trying to push an argument to HELP aboriginal players in the AFL and instead is branded a racist.

Go figure.

 

[Unnamed1]

Re: Matt Rendall...

He said if the AFL does not better support young aboriginal players from remote communities then they will continue to struggle to integrate into the AFL system. To the point that recruiters will see them as an unacceptable risk. He said things will get so bad that recruiters will not touch a player unless they have a white parent.

He never said that was a good thing, he said it would be a very bad thing. He was trying to get the AFL to act faster to help young aboriginal players.

He was talking with his recruiter's hat on. What he is getting at is that recruiters will eventually take into account characteristics (ie, race, descent) of players which cannot legally (or ethically) be taken into account.

A reasonable presumption is that he himself has thought this up (rightly or wrongly). He's also given a convenient explanation after the fact and he's stepping sideways.

How can the AFL and Adelaide possibly continue to support a recruiter who has raised the possibility of this in the future? Not to mention that all his decisions to recruit/to not recruit certain players would be scrutinised and debated for the rest of his career.

 

[bomberclifford]

He suggested that the race of the parents would be a factor in drafting decisions. More to the point, that having a white parent should be considered a benefit. I'm sure he would have worded his point more carefully if he could he have his time over again, but the insinuation is clear and you're doing yourself a disservice by arguing otherwise.

And the Adelaide football department is so weak that it bases its employment strategy - including sacking a man who has offered them years of service - on passing comments made by Demetriou in a radio interview? If that were truly the case (and I don't believe it is), then the Crows are far more cowardly and reprehensible than the AFL are.

Again, I don't believe he meant it maliciously, but the suggestion is clear enough: if we take aboriginal footballers out of their communities and put them into (predominantly) white schools, far away from their families, they stand a far better chance of being successful. I think we all know where we've heard this train of logic before, so I won't labour the point.

It staggers me that you and others in this thread have failed to comprehend that the scenario Rendell used was one that HE BELIEVES IS A BAD THING AND WANTED TO TAKE STEPS TO STOP IT EVENTUATING. It was plainly obvious even before last night's interview.

Furthermore, comparing young indigenous footballers being offered education opportunities to the forceful adoption and relocation of indigenous children in the 50s is as ludicrous as it is disingenuous.

FFS some people need instructions on how to use use their own brains.

 

[MarkT2]

To be honest you can't really know the complete truth but it does appear the AFL were quick to intefere and Adelaide were weak in response to AFL pressure and/or more concerned about public image than truth. Both the AFL and Adelaide have come out of this at this stage looking worse than had they waited and let the full story be told.

The thing I am struggling with is that Adelaide acted so quickly. It either means they don't fully believe the Rendell version or they are a valueless organisation more concerned with the perception of values than having them. In the context of a football club that spells trouble.

There is a bit to play out yet.

 

[Slattery_20]

Re: Matt Rendall...

OK let be quote the UN International Convention on Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination on which our anti discrimination is necessarily based (as Australia is a party to this Convention):

....

Way to miss the point.


Here we go, for the 98th time
The issue is NOT whether or not Rendell's theoretical scenario would be bad.
It would be, durr, that's the point he was making.

The issue is why some flogs have chosen to take a
"we're heading towards a situation where...[blah blah] and we need to stop that happening"
type comment, as
"[blah blah] is how I make my decisions and it is fine and dandy"

He's said no such thing.
I repeat.
No such thing.
Never.

weevil's post in the other thread - where he took the first half off someone's comment to give it a completely different contention to what was intended - is by far the best I've read on the topic.

 

[Honeyboy Wilson]

Re: Matt Rendall...

I'm surprised at the amount of people who are now supporting Rendell...

First of all, I just wanna say I don't think he is racist, I don't think he meant anything racist by his comments and I'm sure his heart was in the right place.

But come on, what he said was screwed up and of course he deserves to be punished for it.

He directly linked having two aboriginal parents to having an unstable upbringing. He used the word "white". He brought colour into it. I'm sure there's plenty of aboriginals with two aboriginal parents out there who are far more stable than a lot of white people with two white parents. But Rendell made it out, with his comments, that in the future he could see it going to to a place where there had to be ONE WHITE PARENT.

Whether he was ever going to join in on this recruiting policy, or whether he had used it in the past is irrelevant. He made the insinuation that one white parent is "better" than two black parents. A throwaway comment or not, that's no good.

 

[NTRabbit]

Re: Matt Rendall...

So who amongst the media is going to have the cajones to call Vlad on this?

Robbo was already suspect on Vlad and the AFL, and that was an hour before both On the Couch and Footy Classified.

Should be interesting on AFL 360 tonight.

 

[Geoffa32]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Rendell was not talking about a current policy, but a potential future one that current trends in terms of player retention could lead to.

Any ome notice that after the interview Lyon said this topic needs more discussion and they will throw the running sheet out.

For them to then come back from an ad break and gloss over it.....

I wonder if "City Hall" had a word to the producers during the break. Because the discussion was then stifled, and Grant Thomas had little input for the rest of the show.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

If Rendall is lying, then he is lying about what he said to Mifsud, and how he said it. He is also lying about how Adelaide treated him.

There should be counterclaims by those parties by the end of today.

If not, then what Rendall says should stand, and that does not look good for Demetriou.

 

[western royboy]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Robbo was already suspect on Vlad and the AFL, and that was an hour before both On the Couch and Footy Classified.

Should be interesting on AFL 360 tonight.

Bingo! - I hope Robbo or someone has the cajones to call Vlad on this

 

[weevil]

Re: Matt Rendall...

He was talking with his recruiter's hat on. What he is getting at is that recruiters will eventually take into account characteristics (ie, race, descent) of players which cannot legally (or ethically) be taken into account.

A reasonable presumption is that he himself has thought this up (rightly or wrongly). He's also given a convenient explanation after the fact and he's stepping sideways.

How can the AFL and Adelaide possibly continue to support a recruiter who has raised the possibility of this in the future? Not to mention that all his decisions to recruit/to not recruit certain players would be scrutinised and debated for the rest of his career.

DID HE SAY THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING???

Did he in any way endorse this? Or was he saying this would be a terrible thing that we have to try to stop.

I think racism towards Muslims in Australia is getting worse. Does that make me racist?

 

[Baldur]

Re: Matt Rendall...

OK let be quote the UN International Convention on Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination on which our anti discrimination is necessarily based (as Australia is a party to this Convention):

"racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life."

Exactly how is proposing that AFL clubs (like his own) will prefer to draft an aboriginal kid with one white parent over an aboriginal kid without a white parent not discriminatory based on that definition? I think I have demonstrated more than a functional knowledge of unlawful discrimination and anti discrimination legislation. If you still can't get your head around it, let me know! Alternatively, have a look here: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/index.html

Bravo, but missing the point. If you knew what you were talking about you would have been better advised to quote the domestic laws based on said convention.

To be sued you must do the thing that is wrong. Not suggest that if something is not done then people will begin to do a wrong thing.

Bad action now = case

Thought re possible future bad actions that may be undertaken by others if things do not change= no case

In the end what has happened here is that Randell has said something shocking may occur in an attempt to get a reaction to a problem he saw developing. Instead of accepting that the AFL has a problem with the way it handles recruits from some socio-economic backgrounds. The AFL decided to do away with the messenger, with you cheering the trumbel on from the sidelines.

 

[western royboy]

Re: Matt Rendall...

Rendell was not talking about a current policy, but a potential future one that current trends in terms of player retention could lead to.

Any ome notice that after the interview Lyon said this topic needs more discussion and they will throw the running sheet out.

For them to then come back from an ad break and gloss over it.....

I wonder if "City Hall" had a word to the producers during the break. Because the discussion was then stifled, and Grant Thomas had little input for the rest of the show.

I immediately thought the same thing, after the initial chat the rest of the show was lame - someone pulled rank - tin hat people away you go.

 

[Suspense]

Re: Matt Rendall...

How can the AFL and Adelaide possibly continue to support a recruiter who has raised the possibility of this in the future?

perhaps addressing the problem he was alluding to so that it does not happen?
political correctness won't keep recruiters from not risking their livelihoods on drafting players who may walk from the game within a year.

Not to mention that all his decisions to recruit/to not recruit certain players would be scrutinised and debated for the rest of his career.

it's an extreme hypothetical.

people who oppose gay marriage sometimes invoke a man marrying a goat as an extreme hypothetical in a slippery slope argument. do they secretly want to marry goats?