Josh Simpson delisted by Fremantle

[Whispering_Jack 28,023]

No, I'm not in any way suggesting that we should try to get the youngster because I understand he had substantial issues with simply acclimatising with Perth life let alone finding himself in the eastern states.

Yet I must say that when I saw him playing in the Under 18s a few years ago he was one of the most gifted players I have ever seen, often gliding across the ground with graceful ease. I also believe he was even unsettled at the time having moved from WA to SA and back again. This delisting probably spells the end for him in much the same way as Dayle Garlett's at Hawthorn though he's probably not quite in his category as far as his behaviour's concerned.

[DeeSpencer 23,296]

Didn't play after round 9 this year

http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/117014/Josh-SIMPSON

All the talent. But unable to translate it.

The step from remote Indigenous community to AFL is too much. Unless you get these kids early and pretty much force them to adapt to city living I don't see how they'll make it. Or at least initially they have to go to city living, then to state league footy then to an AFL club environment. It's too much otherwise.

[InVINCEable 358]

No thanks

[Pennant St Dee 11,358]

Said it to my Freo mates when they called out his name WTF are you doing, you are desperate for key talls looking ahead and Sandi isn't getting any younger, Brodie Grundy was there waiting for you to call him out. Unbelievable decision.

As has been said the divide from some of these indigenous communities is great, Jurrah and Wonna were projects and they sadly didn't work out, but IMO taking someone from that background knowing the difficulties they face in lifestyle changes is just to great a risk with a first round pick

Will head back to Mullewa and play in the Great Northern League

[Nasher 33,133]

Thread trimmed. While I don't think the initial comment that sparked that little side discussion was intended to be racist, it certainly came across that way and I fully understand why others have taken offence.

By the way, a couple of Demonland's older, more prolific posters may want to stop and consider why Matt Rendell fell on his sword, beyond "because he had to". Don't bother doing it in this thread though.

[Whispering_Jack 28,023]

Thanks Nasher.

While there might be some debate as to whether Rendell's comments were racist or not, it's clear that Rendell himself accepted that the words he used to express his viewpoint were ill-advised.

It's unfortunate that we can't conduct a civil discussion on a sensitive subject such as this one. Perhaps with some more education and maturity, one day we will.