Too racially focussed

[stompie]

Essendon's focus on race is starting to irritate me. After reading this article in the Age, http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/firstgamer-don-repays-faith-in-him/2007/05/11/1178390561188.html, it seems I'm not the only one. Yes Houli is a Muslim, but he was neither the first Muslim to play AFL or even the first "devout" Muslim.

I'd just much prefer for Essendon's communication department cease waffling on about whether Houli prays five times a day, and how wonderful Essendon is that they are giving him an opportunity to play footy.

The Aboriginal hype is also irritating. I'm a bit sick of hearing that Sheedy has some kind of mystical mumbo jumbo connection with black players that has allowed him to bring out their best. Let's face it, Sheedy has only coached two Aboriginal champions in his all his years – Wanganeen and Long. Perhaps Derek Kickett could have been a third if Sheedy had given him a chance at the Norm Smith in 93, instead of playing old man Watson.

Other clubs, and other coaches have a better strike record. Maybe Sheeds needs to have a look at himself and explain why, with all the effort he has put into them, he hasn't produced more champions. Perhaps a chat with Paul Roos might help him understand what you need to do to make an Aboriginal player a two-time brownlow Medal winner, and what you need to do to keep you Aboriginal brownlow medal winners at the club. However, if he just keeps patting himself on the back, he isn't going to address his deficiencies.

 

[Ricardo]

I can't believe all the media hype around this player and how he is a muslim, who gives a stuff seriously, as long as he can play football then what does it matter what religion they are.

 

[GmeUP]

I dont think our batch of indigenous players are to bad, Lovett, lovett-Murray, Davey and jetta might never win a Brownlow between them let alone 2 but thats not to say they wont be stars of the future in their own right.

 

[J.Hetfield]

Id say our whole group is of quite a good standard..Dempsey,Jetta etc..

 

[retroparty]

Our idigenous players are better than anyone elses in the AFL.

Its the white players that are a concern

 

[stompie]

Our idigenous players are better than anyone elses in the AFL.

Its the white players that are a concern

No disrespect to our Aboriginal boys, but I’m not sure if you can put them in the same class as Goodes, Olaughlin, McCloud, Peter Burgoyne, Jeff Farmer, Shaun Burgoyne, Daniel Pearce, Wirrpunda or Chris Johnson. Maybe our boys will get there, but actions speak louder than words, and perhaps they should prove something on field before getting showered with praise.

As for the whitefellas, I don’t think they are as bad as you are making them out to be. Ego and self-importance might have got to them, but there is a lot of talent there. Again, I think perhaps the problem is that there is being too much singing of their praises before they have done anything, or singing their praises based upon past glories.

All in all, too many people taking credit, or talking about potential, especially Sheedy, without putting any results on the board.

 

[Sam the RAMA fan]

That is the best article I have read about it!
Bout time everyone got back down to earth..
I mean,big fricken deal...get over it.

 

[retroparty]

No disrespect to our Aboriginal boys, but I’m not sure if you can put them in the same class as Goodes, Olaughlin, McCloud, Peter Burgoyne, Jeff Farmer, Shaun Burgoyne, Daniel Pearce, Wirrpunda or Chris Johnson. Maybe our boys will get there, but actions speak louder than words, and perhaps they should prove something on field before getting showered with praise.

As for the whitefellas, I don’t think they are as bad as you are making them out to be. Ego and self-importance might have got to them, but there is a lot of talent there. Again, I think perhaps the problem is that there is being too much singing of their praises before they have done anything, or singing their praises based upon past glories.

All in all, too many people taking credit, or talking about potential, especially Sheedy, without putting any results on the board.

I meant overall our indigenous players are better than other teams group of indigenous players

 

[stompie]

I meant overall our indigenous players are better than other teams group of indigenous players

Overall, most of our Aboriginal boys are playing in the VFL. They are not, like Aboriginal players from other clubs, winning Brownlow medal votes. So overall, I wouldn't say they are too flash. Maybe Ryder will become another Polly Farmer or Adam Goodes. Maybe Jetta will become another McCloud. However, until they've made it, I think Sheedy should concentrate on improving their skills, not acting as if they are already champions. If Sheedy keeps building them up before they've proved anything, I think they will just end up like Richard Cole.

 

[monty1104]

Who cares if guys are Aboriginal, White or friggin Eskimos. We picked them because our recruiting dept. thought they were the most appropriate players left in the draft when it came to our picks. It shits me that people have double standards regarging Aboriginal players. People expect them to all be brilliant, but not every players is brillian, no matter what race.

 

[stompie]

Who cares if guys are Aboriginal, White or friggin Eskimos. We picked them because our recruiting dept. thought they were the most appropriate players left in the draft when it came to our picks. It shits me that people have double standards regarging Aboriginal players. People expect them to all be brilliant, but not every players is brillian, no matter what race.

I agree. (Although Sheedy has had times recuited people for reasons other than ability. I heard that Daniel McAllister was recruited largely because Sheeds wanted to coach a Moari. Bit of a waste of a pick that one.)

I think Essendon could learn something from the other clubs where race isn’t being leveraged for some reason other than winning football games. For example, I’m getting the feeling that if someone like Peter Bell had played for Essendon, there would have been a big song and dance about Sheedy having some kind of insight into the Korean mind, followed by an attempt to line up a Hyundai sponsorship.

 

[mantis]

I agree. (Although Sheedy has had times recuited people for reasons other than ability. I heard that Daniel McAllister was recruited largely because Sheeds wanted to coach a Moari. Bit of a waste of a pick that one.)

I think Essendon could learn something from the other clubs where race isn’t being leveraged for some reason other than winning football games. For example, I’m getting the feeling that if someone like Peter Bell had played for Essendon, there would have been a big song and dance about Sheedy having some kind of insight into the Korean mind, followed by an attempt to line up a Hyundai sponsorship.

That you're an idiot.

 

[stompie]

That you're an idiot.

I'm also getting the feeling that it would be good if Kevin Rudd wins the upcoming election, increases funding for higher education, encourages more Australians to complete high education, and then we will longer have a problem with the Mantises of the world.

 

[mantis]

I'm also getting the feeling that it would be good if Kevin Rudd wins the upcoming election, increases funding for higher education, encourages more Australians to complete high education, and then we will longer have a problem with the Mantises of the world.

You would have benefitted from a higher education.

 

[stompie]

You would have benefitted from a higher education.

My appreciation for higher education stems from experience. As for appreciating stay at home mums…well, all I can say is that it is not the 1950s anymore. It is just unfortunate that there are a few stranglers living in the past.