Matt Rendell...

[Ron The Bear]

Mifsud obviously intended it to stay private until Vlad asked for names. Hence the whole not saying anything for two months. It was only spoken when his boss forced it out of him, so to speak.

That much I accept. Mifsud probably made reference to the comments in order to deflect responsibility for the recent decline in Aboriginal participation, as in "This is the mindset we're up against". Which according to Rendell would've been a travesty of what he actually said.

Demetriou seized on the remarks and sensed an opportunity. Timing was everything with reference to making Rendell a scapegoat.

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.

However if the discussion actually developed the way Gleeson nebulously asserts - and only the three people present (with Fahour arriving some time after the start of the conversation) know the truth of it - perhaps Rendell did deserve his fate. If so, Rendell has taken us all for a ride. Whatever the case, at the very least Rendell has been condemned on the basis of hearsay without being given an equitable hearing.

So let's get down to brass tacks. Let's hear Mifsud's account. First hand. There is no avoiding it.

 

[Silvagnis]

I wonder if the so called people who are called others witchhunters on Rendell, may actually see the viewpoint that it appears that you may have started the witchhunt on Demetriou, Trigg and Misfud who gave Rendell plenty of opportunity to retract his comments. In fact they have been more than supportive in trying to help someone they respect for having worked 35 years in the AFL.

Like I said already, all Rendell had to do was say: I apologise for these comments, they were made in ignorance and apolgisie for everybody I have offended. No IFS or BUTS.

Rendell doesn't need to apologise to anyone but his so called friend who took it the wrong way.

How can anyone accuse Rendell of being ignorant towards recruiting and retaining indigenous footballers?

Everyone quotes Emma Quayle because she's a draft expert. After hearing Rendell on FC, the likes of Rendell, Hine, Hadley, Hughes, Rogers, etc, would have forgotten more than Quayle knows. Eye opening look at what they're looking for when they interview and consider prospective footballers for the draft. They're clearly looking at more than just talent when it comes to picking a player. You only need to recall that Yarran was the only player who made it after being featured in Three Boys Dreaming with two other young guns. Yarran's mother is a gun.

The issues with outback Australia has been know for decades. Nothing the AFL doesn't know about and why they have now an indigenous commissioner and an Academy in Darwin. The ABS estimates that as of 2005 estimates the total indigenous population to be 2.4%, where as indigenous players represent about 10% of the AFL playing list. So the AFL has done a lot and continues to do a lot for indegenous Australia. They also know they can do more, but it's far and above what most organisations in Australia actually ever undertake.

The AFL's way of dealing with it was to slap $6.7 million indigenous academy on Richmond's Punt Road headquarters.

An academy that has failed to retain any Richmond players who were indigenous recruits from the NT.

The AFL prefer to have their heads in the sand.

 

[Roby]

Bit of a difference there Terry. Both Monkhorst and Sherman racially abused someone directly on the field which was reported straight away to the umpires and the AFL with witnesses.

Rendell's comments weren't racially abusive towards anyone and from what Rendell has said weren't even racist when taken in context. They were also said behind closed doors and his comments weren't reported straight away to the AFL either. On top of that the only two witnesses to the conversation other than Rendell haven't spoken in public about this conversation and why it was supposedly so offensive.

To even suggest this and disregarding all the possible evidence presented it show absolutely no understanding of the situation and this why Rendell was forced to resign.

All you are actually saying, without forming any logical discourse, is that you only believe Rendell's version of events because I believe Rendell's version of events.

 

[Roby]

Rendell doesn't need to apologise to anyone but his so called friend who took it the wrong way.

This is so racially insensitive I don't think I can help you.

How can anyone accuse Rendell of being ignorant towards recruiting and retaining indigenous footballers?

Reread the articles.

Everyone quotes Emma Quayle because she's a draft expert. After hearing Rendell on FC, the likes of Rendell, Hine, Hadley, Hughes, Rogers, etc, would have forgotten more than Quayle knows. Eye opening look at what they're looking for when they interview and consider prospective footballers for the draft. They're clearly looking at more than just talent when it comes to picking a player. You only need to recall that Yarran was the only player who made it after being featured in Three Boys Dreaming with two other young guns. Yarran's mother is a gun.

You need to make your point a little more succinct, excuse for my ignorance but what are you on about?

The AFL's way of dealing with it was to slap $6.7 million indigenous academy on Richmond's Punt Road headquarters.

An academy that has failed to retain any Richmond players who were indigenous recruits from the NT.

The AFL prefer to have their heads in the sand.

You should have a read on what the AFL is doing with the Academy in Darwin next year before making such comments.

 

[Plugger35]

Plugger


At the risk of repeating myself, Trigg has clearly stated that the entire conversation is not kind to Rendell and he would rather not make them public.

Rendell is clearly within his rights to say he wants the report made public if he disputes this.

Instead, all he is now saying is he can't remember what else he said.

Personally i don't think his mate Mifsud would set him up.

If others do, then that's ok.

Do you remember everything you said in a conversation over two months ago?

I doubt whether Rendell, Mifsud or the other bloke who wasn't even there for the whole conversation could give an exact word by word transcript of what was said. Demetriou and Trigg certainly don't know what was said as they weren't even there and are relying on hearsay.

Rendell has refuted the comments that have been made public were racist and given the context they were made in and most people who watched him speak last night believe him. If there were any other comments that were believed to be offensive then surely the onus is on Demetriou, Trigg, Mifsud and the other bloke to make these comments public. If they don't then people will continue to be suspicious about the reason for Rendell losing his job and cast doubts on their character.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Rendell has refuted the comments that have been made public were racist and given the context they were made in and most people who watched him speak last night believe him. If there were any other comments that were believed to be offensive then surely the onus is on Demetriou, Trigg, Mifsud and the other bloke to make these comments public. If they don't then people will continue to be suspicious about the reason for Rendell losing his job and cast doubts on their character.

Agree. Rendell's appeared on national TV to protest his innocence and garnered a ton of sympathy through his apparent sincerity. At the same time he seemed strangely reluctant to tip a bucket on Trigg or Mifsud. If he has aired genuinely racist beliefs and has to go down in order for justice to be seen to be done, then so be it. But Gleeson citing "the tone" doesn't cut it.

 

[Plugger35]

To even suggest this and disregarding all the possible evidence presented it show absolutely no understanding of the situation and this why Rendell was forced to resign.

All you are actually saying, without forming any logical discourse, is that you only believe Rendell's version of events because I believe Rendell's version of events.

What evidence have the AFL or Trigg presented to back up their decision to force Rendell to resign from his job?

Rendell is the only one who has actually spoken in detail about the conversation and given his version of events. No one else, including the AFL and Trigg, has given any details about what was said and why Rendell's comments were so offensive so why would I believe their version of events ahead of Rendell's version of events.

As for having absolutely no understanding of the situation you have shown repeatedly in this thread that the lack of understanding applies more to you than me.

 

[Roby]

Do you remember everything you said in a conversation over two months ago?

I'm not sure whether Rendell, Mifsud or the other bloke who wasn't even there for the whole conversation could give an exact word by word transcript of what was said. Demetriou and Trigg certainly don't know what was said as they weren't even there and are relying on hearsay.

Rendell has refuted the comments that have been made public were racist and given the context they were made in and most people who watched him speak last night believe him. If there were any other comments that were believed to be offensive then surely the onus is on Demetriou, Trigg, Mifsud and the other bloke to make these comments public. If they don't then people will continue to be suspicious about the reason for Rendell losing his job and cast doubts on their character.

I remember things I said in a conversation 2 years ago. I remember things I said in a conversation 10 years ago. And a receruiter of a AFL club who made such comments and to make such incuniatoins and to be asked to please reconsider what was said only to then repeat them, you bet he would of remembered.

Rewatch the interview and when he was asked regarding what was said and if he was sorry, go to 16:30min up until 17:10, and watch how long it takes to think of an answer which should be promptly responded by an AFL recruiter. He doesn't make eye contact the whole time, classic tell right there. He also touches his nose and covers his face when answering this question as well.

[YOUTUBE]jTh-3-4iIMU[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Roby]

What evidence have the AFL or Trigg presented to back up their decision to force Rendell to resign from his job?

Rendell is the only one who has actually spoken in detail about the conversation and given his version of events. No one else, including the AFL and Trigg, has given any details about what was said and why Rendell's comments were so offensive so why would I believe their version of events ahead of Rendell's version of events.

As for having absolutely no understanding of the situation you have shown repeatedly in this thread that the lack of understanding applies more to you than me.

Ill just repost what I posted an hour ago.

Michael Gleeson article suggesting that it was more than one "white parent" comment which was found offensive at the meeting.

The conversation began with the draft potential of a promising Ugandan teenager but quickly moved from problems besetting black Africans to those confronting black Australians. On Footy Classified on Monday, Rendell offered a nuanced version of events and admitted the comment about potentially only selecting black players if they had a white parent was silly, wrong and made in the context of a broader discussion about the falling retention rate of black players in the game.
When he made the comment, it is understood Mifsud queried him about it and Rendell repeated the line. Mifsud, who is of indigenous and Maltese heritage, was upset. But the white parent line was not the only comment to offend Mifsud and Fahour. The tone of language in most of the 20-minute discussion alarmed and disturbed them.
Trigg admitted as much on radio yesterday, saying he would spare Rendell further pain by going through other elements of the conversation. ''There was much more in that discussion in terms of what was fed back to me,'' Trigg said. ''The very clear feedback we got from several quarters was that it was unacceptable, not just the point about the parentage but much of the discussion. It was colourful and it was lively and it was all of those things which Matthew knows about and it was received poorly


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...#ixzz1pfJ6ipgF

He hasn't formally genuinely apologised as he made quite clear when he said "IF I have offended anyone..." IF, remember he says IF; given that, and now that we find out that it was possibly a complete barrage of comments in which he was asked to clarify but then repeated without resiling, see a trend?

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

I wonder if the so called people who are called others witchhunters on Rendell, may actually see the viewpoint that it appears that you may have started the witchhunt on Demetriou, Trigg and Misfud who gave Rendell plenty of opportunity to retract his comments. In fact they have been more than supportive in trying to help someone they respect for having worked 35 years in the AFL.

Like I said already, all Rendell had to do was say: I apologise for these comments, they were made in ignorance and apolgisie for everybody I have offended. No IFS or BUTS.

And yes it is ignorance. Ever heard of Amos Frank? Player recently recruited by the Hawthorn Football Club who came from a remote community. It was not long ago it was inconceivable for someone from an outback remote community to even be a given a chance. Given how technical and strategic the game has become, the necessary education one needs to play AFL football at a fundamental level, it speaks volumes of the AFL right now.

The issues with outback Australia has been know for decades. Nothing the AFL doesn't know about and why they have now an indigenous commissioner and an Academy in Darwin. The ABS estimates that as of 2005 estimates the total indigenous population to be 2.4%, where as indigenous players represent about 10% of the AFL playing list. So the AFL has done a lot and continues to do a lot for indegenous Australia. They also know they can do more, but it's far and above what most organisations in Australia actually ever undertake.

 

[Plugger35]

So now you're relying on Rendell's body language to back up your argument rather than what Rendell actually said?

Talk about clutching at straws.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Rewatch the interview and when he was asked regarding what was said and if he was sorry, go to 16:30min up until 17:10, and watch how long it takes to think of an answer which should be promptly responded by an AFL recruiter. He doesn't make eye contact the whole time, classic tell right there. He also touches his nose and covers his face when answering this question as well.

If you're on the money it may mean Caro is far more perceptive than she's been given credit for. I'll concede that Rendell's finish to the interview wasn't as strong as the rest of it.

 

[Roby]

So now you're relying on Rendell's body language to back up your argument rather than what Rendell actually said?

Talk about clutching at straws.

No, I am giving as much of a comprehensive picture as you could possibly afford.

Reread your posting and you will realise that you have not provided any evidence regarding the conspiracy that Rendell is made into some scapegoat for some secret power struggle. You have now based all your evidence over one man's account on Footy Classified which I have responded with widely accepted body language, tonal and worded accounted behaviour.

Talk about clutching at straws? Yes, you are.

 

[Rob]

As soon as Rendell went public, it became appropriate for either Mifsud, Fahour or both to put their balls on the line and provide their story, as well as answer some rather obvious questions that have arisen. What Trigg and Vlad have to say on the matter now is almost worthless because they weren't there.

If they were withholding it to try and protect Rendell then obviously that went out the door when Rendell went on FC. Caro (probably inadvertently) brought up an excellent point - she claims that Rendell still doesn't know why whatever he said was offensive. The question to be asked of Mifsud and Fahour is why? Surely if (and I emphasise the if) they were as deeply offended as Caro is claiming, then they would have raised it at the time, or at the very least raised it with him in the days following. Not nearly 2 months later at a forum where Rendell wasn't even present. This reeks of cowardice, particularly in the case of Mifsud who apparently has a fairly close relationship with Rendell.

 

[Plugger35]

No, I am giving as much of a comprehensive picture as you could possibly afford.

Reread your posting and you will realise that you have not provided any evidence regarding the conspiracy that Rendell is made into some scapegoat for some secret power struggle. You have now based all your evidence over one man's account on Footy Classified which I have responded with widely accepted body language, tonal and worded accounted behaviour.

Talk about clutching at straws? Yes, you are.

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.

 

[Keys]

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.

He was also pretty distraught. Whatever was said I don't think rendell intended it to cause offense nor does he understand why it might have and as a result I believe he is genuinely shocked that he is being labelled a racist hence his lack of composure

This is where the AFL have failed rendell. By bypassing any form of mediation they have denied rendell the opportunity of discussing the matter with misfud and provide him with an understanding of why his comments were deemed offensive.

 

[FAIRANDBALANCED]

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.

 

[CF]

I agree with Vlad, regardless of the context, he shouldn't have said it as it was racist. The fact he didn't even know why it was racist just shows some unexpected ignorance from a man who after so long in the business should know better. Then to be told by his club to think about what he said and come back to them only to resign says a lot. They gave him a chance to apologise and he decided his pride was too important.

Unfortunate incident and I hope Rendell learns from it.

 

[mort61]

Vlad has a long memory and always get's his man, vindictive bast**d.

Rendell critisised GWS, Vlad's lovechild a couple of month's ago, not wise!!

Any opportunity to get him after this would be taken....... every other person that has transgressed has been given the opportunity to apologise.... do some program etc however, not rendell, why is that? Crossed the Vlad, that's why! ****ter.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

I agree with Vlad, regardless of the context, he shouldn't have said it as it was racist. The fact he didn't even know why it was racist just shows some unexpected ignorance from a man who after so long in the business should know better. Then to be told by his club to think about what he said and come back to them only to resign says a lot. They gave him a chance to apologise and he decided his pride was too important.

Unfortunate incident and I hope Rendell learns from it.

it was prejudice, just like saying blondes are stupid

he said its harder to recruit them from remote communities, once again, not racist

racism/sexism is brought up in confusion to prejudice


we really need to look to the USA when it comes to this topic

 

[CF]

it was prejudice, just like saying blondes are stupid

he said its harder to recruit them from remote communities, once again, not racist

racism/sexism is brought up in confusion to prejudice


we really need to look to the USA when it comes to this topic

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).

 

[Mattrox]

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.

 

[Baldur]

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 is not about white parents being better, but the ability of the young man to have an insight into the lockstep culture he will be subjected too at an AFL club. You are showing the one showing the preconceived notions.


As for the so called offense that Caro is no going on about because of an alleged comparison between the issues facing young African recruits & young indigenous recruits. Here Mifsud shows his in own issues, his certainly that being indigenous makes him somehow special. Bullshit. People are people.


While the cultures of a young African & young indigenous man are different, they are both removed from the culture at AFL clubs. It is the culture shock that is the problem, the distance between the young man’s culture as he has lived it & the extreme culture of AFL clubs.


Furthermore I could not give a good god damn that somebody was offended. Nobody gives a damn about offending me; there is no human right not to be offended. Heavens forbid that anybody have their preconceived notions questioned. Might offend the poor little flowers.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

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?

So you didn't really read much of it, did you? Nobody thinks that.

 

[PrideOf]

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.

From among the footy media? Good luck with that.

 

[Cosmic Energy]

You'd think at the very least Demetriou would be able to pronounce Jason Mifsud correctly given the publicity. It's "MIFsud". How many times did he say "MIS-fud" in that on the couch interview? Who is Mis-Fud? Elmer's sister?

Typically sloppy under-researched knee-jerk reaction? Or latent racism rearing its head in Demetriou's refusal to research and correctly pronounce his indegenous colleague's name?