The Rendell Fiasco

[cmndstab]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Refuse his resignation. Say it won't help anyone, least of all him.

Commit him to working with rural indigenous communities to develop talent and better appreciate how to address the issue than the original meeting was gathered to discuss.

Seems very easy outcome to me. Makes me wonder since we didn't go this way if things are smellier than they seem. Possibly we are just so intent on brand protection we didn't stop to think it through. Him too. Ad certainly didn't.

The problem is, the instant they go down this route it makes them look like they're treating racism lightly. Rightly or wrongly, they would be tarred with that brush.

 

[cmndstab]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

I didnt think that what Matt Rendell said indicated that he had a superior way of life. I understood it to be that perhaps having one white parent made them have a "different" way of life, or a more "stable" way of life. I think that pure indiginous folk find it very hard to fit into "normal" ways of living, and just love having the freedom of the land. Not saying that that is a bad way of life, just a different one.

I agree that this was almost certainly his intention. The issue is that he didn't say this - he said something inflammatory and overtly racist.

Well, presumably he did anyway. Since AD didn't even speak to him it's hard to really know what to think. If he did, then there's no surprise the situation was untenable - but surely you'd at the very least ASK the guy? Unbelievable.

 

[sworc36]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Exactly what should have happened. But Trigg is gutless, jumped the gun twice this week to 'protect the brand of the AFC' before he actually stopped and considered what other options he had. If he wasn't gutless, he would have came out on Monday and said 'We have spoken to Bernie, there was nothing in his behaviour on Saturday night that needs to be punished'. And he would have came out on Friday and demanded the AFL provide further information as to what was said and why it was said, rather than just (what seems like to me) forcing Rendell to resign before he was to be sacked. I'm sick of him to be honest. Can you imagine Eddie McGuire doing this? As much as he is hated, at least he would stand up to the AFL and ask for all the facts before making a decision. We have become the AFLs teachers pet, we do anything we can to please them.

Im sorry but you cant compare Eddie McGuires AFL standing with Triggy. McGuire has MUCH more power that any other CEO in the AFL, you only have to look into the past to see that...
Although I dont agree with his harsh line on Bernie, I dont know if he had much room to move with MR's situation. Demetriou would have been breathing down his throat on this one. He also has to think of the club and not just the individual. I dont think we are the teachers pet, I just think that us, along with other AFL clubs havent got the power that some of the bigger Melbourne clubs have.

 

[Pilchard_Adams]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Why did Rendell say this? I havent read the whole thread, its just too damn long...

Could it have been in context with successful recruiting? Given the recent troubles clubs have faced with players like Austin W and Jurrah? Could it have just been relating to the fact that Aboriginal players from remote areas seem to struggle with the AFL commitments and big city life?

Same could be said about Irish players I suppose.

Sometimes I think the most racist people are the people who play the racist card.

 

[sworc36]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

I agree that this was almost certainly his intention. The issue is that he didn't say this - he said something inflammatory and overtly racist.

Well, presumably he did anyway. Since AD didn't even speak to him it's hard to really know what to think. If he did, then there's no surprise the situation was untenable - but surely you'd at the very least ASK the guy? Unbelievable.

Its just a pity that this could'nt have been sorted out behind closed doors instead being plastered all over the media. Even if the outcome was the same at least it would have come accross a lot more professional.

 

[Sekaj]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

It disappoints me that Liam Jurrah's biggest victim, apart from the guy who got machete-ed in the head, is Matt Rendell. For had that incident not occurred, perhaps Rendell may never have made such a foolish comment, which I agree reflected badly on him (and by association, the club) nonetheless.

For this reason, I am never going to be excited over another freakish mark or goal by Jurrah again. Instead, it will probably fill me with sadness whenever I see him play.

Is this post going to be deleted?

 

[radiojake]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

It disappoints me that Liam Jurrah's biggest victim, apart from the guy who got machete-ed in the head, is Matt Rendell. For had that incident not occurred, perhaps Rendell may never have made such a foolish comment, which I agree reflected badly on him (and by association, the club) nonetheless.

For this reason, I am never going to be excited over another freakish mark or goal by Jurrah again. Instead, it will probably fill me with sadness whenever I see him play.

Is this post going to be deleted?

Rendell said the comments in January - Well before the Jurrah incident....

 

[Allefgib]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

The problem is, the instant they go down this route it makes them look like they're treating racism lightly. Rightly or wrongly, they would be tarred with that brush.

'If done right, no can defense.'

Get macca, johncock, bling and co to come out supporting the idea.

If pitched right how can education and acceptance send a worse message than ignoring the problem?

Or you know what? How about standing on on our own principles and helping ppl who we care about no matter what others think rather than allowing then to become scape goats.

Stand strong and truely commit to the issue and id struggle to believe anyone would be to condemning in ther long term.

Let me be clear...we absoluetly need to identify the remarks as ignorant and unacceptable. Even more reason to focus on education and redemption imo.

 

[aneale]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Why did Rendell say this? I havent read the whole thread, its just too damn long...

Could it have been in context with successful recruiting? Given the recent troubles clubs have faced with players like Austin W and Jurrah? Could it have just been relating to the fact that Aboriginal players from remote areas seem to struggle with the AFL commitments and big city life?

Same could be said about Irish players I suppose.

Sometimes I think the most racist people are the people who play the racist card.

It's exactly how it should have been said. Unfortunately, we don't know that this isn't what was said that then (as conversations do) carried onto somethig else whereby he said something insensitive at best, potentially racist at worst depending on the tone of the discussion.

Mifsud: why are their less Aboriginal boys getting drafted given we have more teams

Rendell: Talent isn't there this year

Mifsud: anything else?

Rendell: Well, there are always transitional considerations when choosing players, we look at family, personality, psych profile, injuries & health and there has been a number of high profile Aboriginal lads not adapting to the new modern AFL.

Mifsud: Can we fix that?

Rendell: Sure, you need to put greater support mechanisms in place, maybe increase the draft age to 19, allow greater weeks off per year in the AFLPA agreements, increase the list sizes, change salary cap rules

Mifsud: what if we don't?

Rendell: well in 10 years time you could end up with my Club and other Clubs only only drafting kids if they have at least one white parent because it might give a greater chance of them adapting to AFL life and we play the odds at the draft table, it's not an exact science.

And then you get a quote, when someone summarises a report they write.

Now I'm not suggesting that was what happened. But I somehow doubt that the bloke in charge with the welfare of indigenous footballers at the AFL asked 1 question and the response was as simple as what has been quoted.

The fact that Vlad seemingly doesn't even know the facts is appalling given he apparently gave Trigg an ultimatum.

 

[BunjiMac]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

I think as a society and a footballing community we have come a long way.

I don't think anyone really doubts the intent of Rendells comments, in fact it wouldn't suprise me if he actually said

"In the future we may get to a situation whereby the clubs will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent, if we don't do anything to fix the current issues."

​

But this is besides the point, he is a professional who represents the AFC on a national level and having used those words in a public forum would make his role untenable in the modern coporate world.

In my own job, if I represented my company in a forum/working group and said, my company would not hire any Italians unless they had one english parent I would be fired, regardless of context.

Like it or not, it is your responsibility to represent your brand in a politically correct manner, not only for sponsors/shareholders but more importantly for reasons of litigation. As somebody said it is illegal to descriminate based on race, so if the company was to admit/support this imagine the potential lawsuits that your company would face.

In no way do I believe our club has a racist agenda and its difficult to imagine what the indigenous players at our club must feel hearing these comments. They are the most important people in this whole situation and should be the focus of the clubs attention.

One dumb moment has cost Matt Rendell his job, it happens all the time in the real world and I don't think anything more needs to be said.

 

[cmndstab]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

It disappoints me that Liam Jurrah's biggest victim, apart from the guy who got machete-ed in the head, is Matt Rendell. For had that incident not occurred, perhaps Rendell may never have made such a foolish comment, which I agree reflected badly on him (and by association, the club) nonetheless.

For this reason, I am never going to be excited over another freakish mark or goal by Jurrah again. Instead, it will probably fill me with sadness whenever I see him play.

Is this post going to be deleted?

Jurrah's case is still before the courts. Much as the AFL should have done due diligence before crucifying Rendell, so should we give Jurrah his day in court before we tar him with any brush.

 

[Truck Rutten]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

How do we feel about this thread title before we've heard MR's version of events. He's already indicated that he's been misquoted/taken out of context. It's reminding me of what a **** Rucci was being on AA yesterday morning; he spent the whole show talking as if this was a confirmed, proven policy of MR's/the club's.

 

[BunjiMac]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

How do we feel about this thread title before we've heard MR's version of events. He's already indicated that he's been misquoted/taken out of context. It's reminding me of what a **** Rucci was being on AA yesterday morning; he spent the whole show talking as if this was a confirmed, proven policy of MR's/the club's.

I think its most definately taken out of context, but I don't think quote was wrong.

Anyway I've stated my opinion above and stick to it.

 

[Ratto]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

I personally hope that after Rendell explains his side of the story, the club and Rendell himself (along with an AFL apology) can come to an agreement to get him reinstated. He is too valuable an asset to be lost in the flurry of media crap.

This is me speaking before I hear what he has to say though. But as everyone who knows the man that has said a piece along with most supporters who have spoken to him on a semi-regular basis, I trust my gut that he will be seen in a completely different light than he has in the past few days.

 

[MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

I'll be interested to hear his side of the story. I don't doubt he was taken out of context in some way, but I am fully supportive of the AFC and the decision made. They had no choice, if they didn't do it, the AFL would have.

I hear Matt Rendell is on Footy Classified tomorrow night? Might have to sit up for that one.

 

[SydCrow]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Has anyone else mentioned Dipper, an AFL ambassador, calling Gavin Wanganeen an Abo and being stood down for some sensitivity training? Hawthorn legend versus Adelaide recruiter?

 

[SCD Reborn]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Begs the question why Paul Roos is able to make comments of a very similar nature about the ongoing recruitment of indigenous players only 2-3 weeks ago and nothing more is said about it.

 

[Northalives]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

I didnt think that what Matt Rendell said indicated that he had a superior way of life. I understood it to be that perhaps having one white parent made them have a "different" way of life, or a more "stable" way of life. I think that pure indiginous folk find it very hard to fit into "normal" ways of living, and just love having the freedom of the land. Not saying that that is a bad way of life, just a different one.

Perhaps we should have a "public hanging" for all these "so called" racists. Good luck with that one. If your going to prosectute people on certain remarks made then 75% of our population would be behind bars.

I would have thought a suspension until we have heard EVERYONES side of the story has come out would have been the appropriate outcome. Then perhaps if he is found to be guilty then some councelling and community service work could be implemented.

That is exactly what racism is; a belief that another person's life/way of life/culture is inferior to theirs.

Rendell said that he would not recruit an Aboriginal if one of his parents were not white: why do you think he said that? How can there possibly be any context within which such a statement can be deemed to be "OK"?

Here's a hypothetical for you sworc36: player A comes from a middle class, well-to-do family and attended a private school. He and his folks are keen church goers and are all teetotallers with no criminal convictions whatsoever. Both player A's parents are Aboriginal. Player B has an Aboriginal dad who is separated from his partner, an alcoholic white woman. Player B has been living rough since he was a young tacker and doesn't mind a drink although this is not apparent. They both are the same age, same weight and height and of pretty well equal ability.

Who would you chose sworc36? We all know which one Rendell would chose! You see, according to Rendell, having two white parents, you pass the test for being available for consideration; having one white parent means you may have a chance of passing the consideration test; having no white parents means you WILL NOT be considered.

Is that not discrimination based on one person's assumption that to not have two, or at the very least one white parent, renders a person INFERIOR and not up to it?

And as for "public hangings" of "so called" racists, we have laws in this country that protect all of us, ALL of us, from racial vilification and if one is found to be a racist, like Mr. Andrew Bolt, then throw the book at the **** s !

I repeat, there is absolutely no context in which the comment, "will not recruit any Aboriginal unless they have one white parent" be deemed acceptable.

The comment leaves no doubt that Rendell believes that if one has at least one white parent, then they are superior to the ones without any white parents.

Rendell, Dipierdomenico and other "good blokes" like them, should have their skins chemically altered so they take on the appearance of being Aboriginal and sent to places like Walgett or Brewarrina or out to Western Australia to see how they get on.

 

[FAITH]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Ive given myself sometime to cool down.

BUT:
- im still pissed with the club, they let the afl walk all over them, they rushed into the decision to dismiss Matty.
Im not suprised given Triggy is trying to get a position within the AFL, so he cant go against Demetriou;

-I still think Dem and Misfud are aholes!

-Matty doesnt deserve this

 

[Big Gazoongas]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

That is exactly what racism is; a belief that another person's life/way of life/culture is inferior to theirs.

Rendell said that he would not recruit an Aboriginal if one of his parents were not white: why do you think he said that? How can there possibly be any context within which such a statement can be deemed to be "OK"?

Here's a hypothetical for you sworc36: player A comes from a middle class, well-to-do family and attended a private school. He and his folks are keen church goers and are all teetotallers with no criminal convictions whatsoever. Both player A's parents are Aboriginal. Player B has an Aboriginal dad who is separated from his partner, an alcoholic white woman. Player B has been living rough since he was a young tacker and doesn't mind a drink although this is not apparent. They both are the same age, same weight and height and of pretty well equal ability.

Who would you chose sworc36? We all know which one Rendell would chose! You see, according to Rendell, having two white parents, you pass the test for being available for consideration; having one white parent means you may have a chance of passing the consideration test; having no white parents means you WILL NOT be considered.

Is that not discrimination based on one person's assumption that to not have two, or at the very least one white parent, renders a person INFERIOR and not up to it?

And as for "public hangings" of "so called" racists, we have laws in this country that protect all of us, ALL of us, from racial vilification and if one is found to be a racist, like Mr. Andrew Bolt, then throw the book at the **** s !

I repeat, there is absolutely no context in which the comment, "will not recruit any Aboriginal unless they have one white parent" be deemed acceptable.

The comment leaves no doubt that Rendell believes that if one has at least one white parent, then they are superior to the ones without any white parents.

Rendell, Dipierdomenico and other "good blokes" like them, should have their skins chemically altered so they take on the appearance of being Aboriginal and sent to places like Walgett or Brewarrina or out to Western Australia to see how they get on.

I have a hypothetical for you as well Northalives.

You have a son and he has always been a model citizen, never been in any trouble at all no parking tickets....nothing. Your son has been married for 5 years and one day he comes home and tells you that he is separating from his wife.
Your son also tells you that the ex has been telling everyone, via all social media facebook, twitter etc the reason they have split. Your son is accused of domestic violence by the ex.
Would you be happy that friends, family and work colleges judge your son by someone else's accusations????
Would you not want people to hold judgement until your son has given his version of events and had the chance to defend himself against these accusations.

Please don't sit here in judgment and call people racist until you know all the facts, at the moment you now SFA and we have only heard a small part of the story.
At least have the decency to wait until you hear what he says before calling him a racist, or would you join the lynch mob and call your son a wife beater as well???

 

[Jars458]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Adrian Anderson said on EMT he was not across the detail of how the matter came to be aired in public rather than privately.

I understand the AFL CEO has also not commented on this in any detail. Stephen Trigg refused to comment on what was said in the meeting between Rendell and Misfud and at least one other person.

So many complicated issues here and so many people making comments when they don't know the facts.

There is a lot of water under the bridge to come here and Matthew needs to be able to respond to allegations, which to be fair, are not completely clear. We only seem to have rumours and newspaper reports of what was said.

Jason Misfud I would have thought needs to come out and say what was said and in what context. To me he has a responsibility to do that.

These issues are far too important to be dealt with via trial by media.

As to what the AFC did, I can see why they did it (on the limited facts I have) and I understand why they wont say exactly what was said or not by Matt Rendell at the meeting, as there are a myriad of legal complications.

End of the day, until we know the full facts, we can't comment.

The actions of Matt, the AFL and the AFC can only be asssessed in the fullness of time when all the facts become public.

 

[Allefgib]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

I don't believe AA and AD wouldn't know the full details by now. Or if they don't that is gross negligence on their part.

Matty R has fallen on his sword to make it easy for everyone - the club especially.

I still think there has to be something more to this - possibly even worse comments being said, or a potential 'last strike' for Rendell at the club for speaking his mind a little too much. (i.e. if he'd spilled the beans again in a less controversial sense he still may have been walked out the door). Things just don't quite make enough sense for me yet.

 

[jenny61_99]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Interestingly Eddy asked the question "Has Matt Rendell been made the scapegoat in all this?" I'd like to hear the answer to that.

 

[Northalives]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

I have a hypothetical for you as well Northalives.

You have a son and he has always been a model citizen, never been in any trouble at all no parking tickets....nothing. Your son has been married for 5 years and one day he comes home and tells you that he is separating from his wife.
Your son also tells you that the ex has been telling everyone, via all social media facebook, twitter etc the reason they have split. Your son is accused of domestic violence by the ex.
Would you be happy that friends, family and work colleges judge your son by someone else's accusations????
Would you not want people to hold judgement until your son has given his version of events and had the chance to defend himself against these accusations.

Please don't sit here in judgment and call people racist until you know all the facts, at the moment you now SFA and we have only heard a small part of the story.
At least have the decency to wait until you hear what he says before calling him a racist, or would you join the lynch mob and call your son a wife beater as well???

The facts are that Rendell said and he is not refuting that he did, "will not recruit an Aboriginal unless he has one white parent". That is as unambiguous a statement as there can be.

I know that a lot of you want to wait and hopefully hear Rendell say that it was in regards to this, that or the other thing and put it into "context" but the truth is, he was not in the back yard with like minded mates having a barbie or out on the boat fishing with his mates; He was in a room with professional, AFL employed people! How ****ing stupid and arrogant is this **** ?

He is representative of a large group of people within our society who have and will always have, an ingrained prejudice against Aboriginals and others, if the truth be known. That is the Australia they were brought up in and it is the Australia that all fair minded people want to consign to history.

Rendell and his type need to feel the wrath of the community at large to help bring up our young folk in a different Australia to Rendells'.

This issue is not bad for The Adelaide Football Club: it has been dealt with quickly and properly by your club and all of you should be just as proud of the way your club has handled all of this, as you are about your teams fantastic performance yesterday.

 

[Jars458]

Re: Rendell Says the club will only recruit Aboriginals that have one white parent

Interestingly Eddy asked the question "Has Matt Rendell been made the scapegoat in all this?" I'd like to hear the answer to that.

Not to AA he didn't. Not directly. As I have said, there needs to be clarity before judgment can be delivered.