Bitter but optimistic

Stop it you bullies! Stu will have a meltdown.

Now you're are just being silly Stuie. I've counseled you about this previously. Next, you'll work yourself into a frenzy and get banned again. As usual, I'm considering your welfare.

Stu, I'm going to keep this simple. WYL made a comment (above) that you disagreed with (also above). I provided the full text of a speech that shows you were incorrect. Now don't start giving me shite about context or anything else. Retire gracefully, admit you were wrong and, for once STFU.

Here's the whole speech Stu old mate. No context issues. But please ponder Bbub's comment as well. Andrew Demetriou, Chief Executive Officer AFL: Introduction AMSA 2013 Sports Leadership AwardI want to firstly thank the migration council for inviting me to speak this evening. It really is a pleasure to be here tonight for an event that is focused on recognising those individuals and organisations that have embraced diversity and seek to promote the value of new migrants throughout the community. As the son of migrants I know the value of building a connection with community. Growing up in the back of my parents fish ‘n chip shop in the multi-cultural suburb of Coburg in Melbourne, my connection to the community as a child was built around sport. Whether we were Greeks, Italians, Turks, Maltese or Australians, sport was something that brought kids in the neighborhood together. My three brothers and I spent countless hours kicking a battered old football around our local Woolworths car park. It was brutal on your knees but it didn’t stop us, and plenty of other kids in the neighborhood, from coming together with a common purpose. Sport, and in particular football, was a great leveler and helped us develop friendships and seek new opportunities. Sport was the catalyst for acceptance and gave me a true sense of community. A sense of belonging. It also gave me the sort of opportunities my parents could only dream of when they left Cyprus in the hope of giving their children and their children’s children a better life. My own upbringing also helped shape the values I’ve carried with me right throughout my life and now in my role as CEO of the AFL. It was very clear to me from an early stage that sport has the capacity to tear down barriers and engage every segment of the community. Someone once asked me how I would describe our game. I like to think of Australian football as a great democratizer. A game for anyone and everyone. A game that is inclusive, accessible and affordable. A game that does not discriminate. Footy, and sport more broadly, is a great meeting place. Every week it brings diverse groups of people together from across the community. People from a range of backgrounds but with a common passion for the game. As far as Australian football is concerned, people don’t come to our game because they want to impose their values on it. They come to our game because of its values. I’m regularly reminded of that each time we host newly arrived migrants at AFL matches around the country. We often hear them remark how they’ve never felt more connected to the community and Australian culture than when they’ve sat among the Sydney Swans faithful, or the Port Adelaide die-hards. And around the country there are countless new migrants picking up a football in the playground and immediately forging a bond with those around them. The fact many of them don’t speak a word of English doesn’t matter. They are communicating in a language just as powerful as English, or Mandarin or Arabic. The language of sport, and in many cases, Australian football. And for a large number, it is a connection that remains for life. A bond that provides opportunities previously unimagined. Those looking for evidence need only look as far as AFL club North Melbourne and their young Sudanese-born player Majak Daw. After fleeing war-torn Sudan almost a decade ago, Majak and his eight brothers and sisters eventually settled in Melbourne where his first friendship was made over a Sherrin football. When Majak enjoyed a spectacular AFL debut recently, there was a genuine sense of pride and achievement, not just throughout the AFL community but in the Sudanese community as well. It is young men like this that bring more to the game than just their on-field talent. Men and women from every conceivable background that enrich the culture of our game. They’re bringing their cultures into the AFL and helping us understand the similarities and differences. As much as football is making a difference in their communities, these people are making a difference in ours. And while Majak may be the AFL’s first Sudanese-born player, I guarantee you he won’t be the last. Some see the AFL as simply a sport. Others see it as simply a big business. The reality is that we are, and need to be, more than just a sporting competition or a business. We are also a not for profit, community and cultural organization that must take a leadership role in the community. We believe the success of Australian football is measured by our connection with the community. And if we are to truly be a responsible leader and grow our game, we need to constantly hold a mirror to ourselves and make sure we are reflecting the community around us. That is why we have implemented a host of programs that directly relate to the wider issues facing the community. We have been intent on fostering a safe and welcoming game that affords everyone the same opportunities, regardless of background. We have been unwavering in our endeavours across issues such as racial and religious vilification, violence against women and multi-culturalism. That is why Australia Post have joined us in partnership to establish a multi-cultural ambassadors pathway program that sees AFL role models from countries including Nigeria, Fiji, Italy, Lebanon, Brazil and Egypt. We are proud of the insight and cultural guidance these players provide our industry. Quite simply we would be poorer without their presence. Each year the AFL celebrates ‘One Game, Many Cultures’ through Multi-Cultural Round. This is an opportunity for 20,000 people from migrant families to come together as one at an AFL game. It acknowledges the role multicultural communities have played in our game and importantly it encourages new communities to enjoy our game as supporters, players and administrators in the future. The same can be said for the Unity Cup, an event that brings together a range of culturally and linguistically diverse communities through a mutual appreciation of Australian football. We’ve witnessed some remarkable acts of inclusion and understanding through the Unity Cup. Last year’s event comprised of teams from Melbourne’s Muslim, Jewish and Indigenous communities with one team made up of players from Muslim and Jewish backgrounds. We are also proud of the fact that the outstanding athleticism and leadership of many Indigenous AFL players has helped foster a sense of pride amongst Australians about our nation’s rich Indigenous heritage. Furthermore we support the goal of amending our Constitution to formally unite our Indigenous history with the many chapters that have been written since. Sport has the extraordinary power to bring people together regardless of their background, something we should never forget. Sport is also one of the most powerful tools we have for affecting cultural change. It has the very real ability to strengthen community ties and promote social inclusion. And it is a key driver for our continued prosperity as a nation. Thank you.

Lift your game Stuie - I don't have to raise a sweat anymore. "We are also a not for profit, community and cultural organization that must take a leadership role in the community" Andrew Demetriou, AMSA 2013 Sports Leadership Awards.

Thanks for the advice. I'll go with Mable's idea - dishonesty seems the most straightforward solution.

That too, seems excessive RTG. However, I thank you for your concern.

It's all a bit of a waste of breath really. (1)Even if GWS realize they have paid the little [censored] too much the damage is done - he has pocketed a shite load. (2) Even if the AFL believe they may have [censored] up with the GWS experiment, the damage is done. They will not back off and will continue to pour zillions into GWS for evermore.

Some advice needed! Had to visit my GP this week to have the Brazillian checked out. Her comments went something like this - DR. Now that (problem X) has been sorted out, we need to work on your general health. I sat quietly, as I could see where this conversation was going. DR. Your drinking - it is foolishly excessive! (my lovely GP i8s of Eastern European heritage and is quite authoritarian in her manner.) I continued to sit timidly. DR. Your first aim must be four alcohol free days per week. I began to swoon. DR. What is is wrong? I said that I didn't think I could drink enough on the remaining three days to make up for the four days abstinence. DR. Don't be foolish. Record your daily drinking and see me in two weeks. Now as I am quite terrified of this woman I shall "fudge the books" and show her a totally invented record. I could, of course change physicians, but apart from her very conservative view of a healthy intake of wine, she is very good. As there appear to be plenty of drunks and addicts on this thread, I would welcome your comments.

What a wonderfully cruel and rancorous post Jaded. Could not have done better myself.

Sure you don't want it to bite on Moonie!! ?

Frawley may or may not stay. However, I reckon it would be a fair bet that neither he, nor any other established and credentialed AFL player. would want to board the Titanic.

Agreed DC. The lack of moral guidance on this thread is sadly obvious. Biffen in particular needs to be chastised for his lustful godless ways. A good chastisement would also be of benefit to Loonshadow... and probably Jazza and ... Bbub and ....

BTW. Looks like Biff is out for the night! He waltzes in for a while but then the er.... medications take over .. and he disappears!

"Chapeau hat" !!! That's far too classy for Demonland Mable. Biffo likes his French but that sort of stuff will spin poor old Moonie out. He'll start searching through the Dinka or Eskimo dictionary.

Take more care with the editing Col!!

America's condom? As to "hijinks" with Biff? At "The Lads" insistence, I have removed Biffen from my social calendar. He is a tawdry fellow at best and his living conditions and neighbourhood defy description. He is a fringe dweller and is likely to be incarcerated at any moment.

The anti-psychotic drugs are working then Biff? How do you continue to conduct your business so successfully under such conditions?

It's a pity Mable Demon isn't online - she could make the acquaintance of Biffen - that would either send her back to Canadia ( or whatever it's called) or to where Fl og fell off the world.

I was there at the important moments.

See Biff, chook he has some ...err .. "friends" who do that sort of thing Indeed, I've just about drowned my optimistic half.

Fair bump ! Play on!

This thread does not require your views on recycling Biffen! Stay on topic please!

Now which drug will i take?

Yeah, appears about as media savvy as Jack Riewoldt!!