By Jesse Fink
June 19th 2009 @ 3:11am
Related coverage
FFA should sanction Cahill for belittling McLaughlin
Australia's Tim Cahill celebrates after scoring the first goal for Australia during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Australia and Qatar at the Brisbane stadium in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. AP Photo/Tertius Pickard
Over at The Finktank, my column for SBS, I’ve leapt to the defence of Tim Cahill after he was smeared last weekend by the Sunday Telegraph for a nightclub incident it appears never happened.
But after his embarrassing performance in front of the cameras after Wednesday night’s Australia Vs Japan World Cup Qualifier, in which he scored two goals, he’s deserving of some rebuke.
Melanie McLaughlin has come along in leaps and bounds as a broadcaster with Fox Sports and she is a great asset for that company to have: telegenic with brains and something useful to say about the game she covers.
The same cannot be said for all of of her stablemates, male and female, at the pay-TV station. (For the record, let me state I’m a big fan of the work of Simon Hill and Mark Bosnich, both of whom call a spade a spade, and Paul Trimboli, whose enthusiasm for the game is infectious and who is turning into a great game analyst.)
So McLaughlin deserved much more respect than she got from Cahill, who chose to ignore the questions she asked of him in her now-obligatory post-match on-field interview and didn’t even doing her the basic courtesy of looking at her when she spoke.
Standoffish, his tongue rolling around in his cheeks, it was a disgraceful display from Cahill, who has every right to nurse a grievance with the way he was treated by the Sunday Telegraph but should have no issue with a bright, pleasant young woman just trying to do her job.
The opening question she asked of him was hardly threatening, a joke about how popular he now is in Japan.
But instead of smiling or offering a laugh, Cahill just turned away to look at nothing and muttered, “I’d just like to thank the crowd, the lads, a great turnout in Melbourne. I’m so proud to be here, so proud to play tonight so I think the credit just goes to the crowd, you were brilliant.“
She tried again.
Same response, after which Cahill scampered off without so much as even acknowledging her presence.
Cahill was deserving of sympathy for the way the Sunday Telegraph handled the nightclub story but in his exchange with McLaughlin he managed in one fell swoop to come across both as arrogant and self-regarding, and certainly undeserving of anyone’s compassion.
It is worthy of sanction by the FFA, especially considering Fox Sports is an official partner of the federation.
Fox Sports, which is owned by Premier Media Group, deserves better for the millions it puts into the game and which keeps the FFA in the black.
What happened in Kings Cross, meanwhile, is not and has never been worthy of sanction.
The problem for Fox is PMG itself is part-owned by News Limited, the publishers of the Sunday Telegraph.
So Cahill was making his own statement, albeit a misguided one. His beef should be with Neil Breen, the embattled editor of the Sunday Telegraph, not poor old McLaughlin or her bosses at Fox, who had nothing to do with that Tele story and who wouldn’t have known anything about it.
As most of you well know, I’ve worked at Fox myself, so I know intimately how various parts of the News Limited organisation function in splendid isolation.
“Synergy“ is the mantra but it’s not the reality on the floor.
So Cahill must be called to account by the FFA for this performance.
Short of that, McLaughlin and Fox deserve a contrite apology. He might have scored two goals and won his team the game, but Cahill also spoiled a great night by behaving like a petulant six-year-old.
Everyone loves a winner, but no one likes an ungracious one.
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Timmypig said | June 19th 2009 @ 6:13am | Report comment
Maybe, Jesse, maybe …
On the other hand, why do broadcasters persist with these cringeworthy post match interviews anyway? Football, rugby, cricket, league, AFL ….. the players interviewed all trot out the same coached cr@ppy, anodyne tosh. Does ANYONE gain anything from their answers?
It’s when the player goes off the script that it’s worth watching! My wife did comment on it though (shows she was paying attention): “Cahill didn’t answer the question!”
sportsfanslife.com said | June 19th 2009 @ 7:08am | Report comment
I am taking more and more interesting in Football in this country at both the A-League and National Team levels, and I have to say I did notice the way Cahill handled the interview. Surely his beef with the Telegraph had nothing to do with McLaughlin personally, and as you say, she was just trying to do her job. With all the positive steps Football is taking here, it doesn’t take much for casual observers (the ones whose money the FA is chasing to support their local comp etc.) to be turned off, and that sort of thing could do the trick for some. Timmy’s performance on the pitch would no doubt have won more fans than he lost with the post match interview, however I still think it was poor form….he’s much better than that.
MVDave said | June 19th 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment
Spoiled a great night????????? Do you world for the Telegraph?? Is this your summing up of the nights events?? Give me a break. Surely there was some thing more worth while to discuss about the night?? You know the game, the crowd, the player performances, the Japanese performance, the prospect of the MCG holding the WC final when we win the WC bid etc.
MVDave said | June 19th 2009 @ 7:13am | Report comment
Should be’work’ for the Telegraph.
onside said | June 19th 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment
Perhaps Tim should get advice from another media belittled superstar like Greg Norman .
Brett McKay said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:18am | Report comment
We all love Melanie McLaughlin, for sure, but would it have been better or worse if Cahill waved her away completely post-game, rather than giving the same question-ignoring answer twice?? Obviously, he knew the interview was for the MCG crowd too, and so thanked them for his support. McLaughlin was just the unfortunate mic-holder. On that, would this be as big an issue if it was Robbie Slater (who also teed off on the media during the call) doing the post-match??
Yes, Cahill may have come across both as arrogant and self-regarding, but realistically, what else could he have done??
Charles said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:23am | Report comment
Completely disagree with you on this one Jess.
.
The media do not own the words and actions of a player, doesn’t matter how much they pay for sponsorship and exclusivity rights. And nor should they be able to pay to control the way he responds. Tim Cahill is not answerable to Fox, and at the end of the day, we live in a land where he does have the freedom to express himself as he sees fit. Granted, you can’t say in one column that Australian political correctness is destroying sport, then complain when Tim Cahill decides to take a stand on something.
Added, to say that his antics are an insult to the Fox interviewer misses the point completely and further muddy’s the waters. Whatever Cahill meant or didn’t mean had nothing to do with the interviewer. To say anything otherwise is a mere diversion from the pathetic antics of some media outlets who have done their best to undermine football while appearing to be its supporter.
No, Tim Cahill is not the villain in this. To make him the bad guy reeks of media manipulation … which I’m sure you would never try and do.
Roman said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:24am | Report comment
Post game interviews are bollocks anyway. They regurgitate the same cliche’d answers night after night, and almost always look like they would rather be off celebrating the victory (or hanging their head in shame in the locker room). And personally, I dont blame them one bit.
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:37am | Report comment
I thought Cahill handled himself brillantly, he was not ungracious or petulant, he was not rude. He thanked the people who backed him, the crowd, the fans on TV, his team. Notice the fans reaction to the interview.
I’m sure Mel McLaughlin knew exactly what had happened to him during the week & Jesse, you might know better, but most people see the daily Telegraph & fox sports as from the same side of the fence (noticed none of the Fox analyst apart from Bozza stood up for Cahill).
Sorry for Mel, but i’m sure Timmy knows her to be a very supportive football fan, but at that moment she was the face of News ltd (owner of Fox & telegraph) & the media. I’m sure she understands.
Totally disagree with you here Jesse.
Realfootball said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:39am | Report comment
Agree that it didn’t look good, even if it was understandable. Trouble is, professional footballers leave school early to live in a cocoon if they are successful like Cahill and then, from time to time, the media wolves latch on to them. It is a very difficult situation and one would hope that the FFA is in there giving them the support they need. If that support is there, then Cahill was badly advised over that post match interview. What he said was fine, actually, it was the delivery that was an issue. Everyone can understand his anger – he has been disgracefully treated by an editor who admitted to Alan Jones, on air, that the story was about evening the ledger for rugby league. He just needs to be careful with his targets in future. As for the Telegraph, its a Z grade paper employing desperate Z grade journos. I just hope Cahill sues them.
Limpet #7 said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:43am | Report comment
Before the Sunday Telegraph smear campaign kicked in to gear, a certain loud mouthed blogger had already layed the boot into Cahill for no apparent reason, with this strongly worded ticking off from TWG:
“Tim Cahill has been mouthing off in Dubai, telling Marco Monteverde of the Courier-Mail: “I don’t read what’s said in Australia.” Well he should, the ungrateful sod. Especially when the Australian media took up the cudgel to champion and publicise his bid to play for the Socceroos when, as a 14-year-old, he stupidly chose to play for Western Samoa. The local press has also been very supportive of his charitable/football academy concerns and contributed in no small way to making him the celebrity he is today. He can get off his soapbox, too, and put to rest the suggestion the Australian media has it in for his boss.”
It is simply unbelievable that he would continue to support the campaign against Cahill by this article today. Especially when his precious Nicky Carle got his first ever start in a world cup qualifier – a dream come true, surely. I would have thought there were far better, far more positive topics to discuss after such a successful qualifying campaign.
NUFCMVFC said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Have to say I disagree Fink
It’s worth remembering that Fox Sports stream the Daily Telegraph stories through their websites, and Cahill was protesting at the media in general, which would have been the case regardless of who was asking the questions, whether that is someone you consider to be half decent or one of the people at the Pay TV station you don’t, if he had committed to snubbing the News Ltd media who had derided him, there is no argument to suggest that he should withdraw from that commitment merely because it is Mel Mclaughlin talking
It is generally good to see a few more News reporters coming through etc into the Football media, but I disagree with you Jesse and am dissapointed in the patronising stance, considering I thought it was quite heroic, as football fans have had to put up with the same patronising treatment from the same publications and criticised by the FFA in conjunction with this to boot, so far from “letting fans down” as the Daily Telgraph suggests, for me it was exactly the opposite
Sadly, this article can even be used as justification by the Daily Telegraph for their baseless assertions in an articel the following day
True Tah said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:54am | Report comment
Jesse
maybe that just Cahill’s personal style and he wasn’t being rude.
I think you’re building a mountain out of a molehill here.
Mick of Newie said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Jesse, I disagree on two levels, First, sporting bodies generally try to control too much of what players say and in advocating FFA sanctioning a player you are in my view doing the media and the public a dis-service. The public can decide what they think of Tim’s interview, the thought police should not seek to prevent it occurring. Secondly, as many posters above have identified, you may draw a distinction between various arms of the Murdoch empire but I don’t and I think Tim is entitled to come to the same conclusion.
Tom said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:01am | Report comment
Christ this is a patronising article. The implication seems to be that poor little Melanie McLaughlin is bawling her eyes out somewhere and Cahill needs to personally apologise and maybe offer her a tissue and a cup of Nescafe.
I’m sure she’s tough enough to deal with it, and smart enough to realise it wasn’t a personal slight.
The patronising description of McLaughlin as ‘telegenic with brains and something useful to say about the game she covers.’ is unbelievable. Something useful? Oh well done! Nobody would ever describe a male broadcaster in that way. Nor should the reference to fox journalists ‘male and female’ be necessary.
Nobody has suggested that Cahill’s treatment of the interview had anything to do with McLaughlin’s gender. But this article seems to treat her like some fragile china doll needing protection. I’m sure she can deal with this without needing the FFA to step in.
Kurt said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
I really hope some of you appreciate the wonderful irony of all of this. For years soccer fans in Aust have been bleating “no one pays us enough attention, give us some more attention!’. Now you actually have a few players with a reasonable public profile and surprise surprise they are being subject to same overblown, ridiculous half truths and innuendo that league and AFL players have been putting up with for years. And do you show any appreciation? Thank the media for their interest and attention? No, just more of the same whinging. Here’s the deal guys and you may as well just accept it: With the good bits of fame come the bad bits of fame. Britany knows it, Lindsay knows it, rugby league players know it, AFL players know it and now you know it.
Chop said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:11am | Report comment
What a fuss about nothing.
So Tim Cahill has some issues with the media, big deal? The Teledrama beating up a nothing incident (who’d have thought?)
I did feel sorry for Mel McLaughlin but to her credit handled the situation very well, not like the poor damsel in distress Jesse makes her out to be.
hammered said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Cahill’s attitude during his interview had absolutely nothing to do with McLaughlin. She was just collateral damage in a war between News Limited and football. Wrong place at the wrong time.
The Sunday Telegraph’s poor attempt to smear the game of football in Australia backfired and also put Cahill offside, so to speak.
All football fans know the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph and its brother/sister publications around the country are anti-football due to News Limited’s big stake in rugby league.
Cahill was making a stance against all News Limited properties, of which, as Jesse alludes to, Fox Sports falls under.
I disagree with you here Jesse. I say good on Cahill for sticking it to those who have stuck it to football for so long.
Arundel James said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
I think you’ve missed the mark Jesse — Foxsports streamed David Riccio’s poorly written article straight onto its website:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25633590-5014539,00.html
It would be very difficult to ’sanction’ Cahill for thanking the fans and I agree with Tom that your post treats Mel McLaughlin in a patronising way – it shouldn’t matter who the broadcast journo is.
AGO74 said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:24am | Report comment
agree with you jesse. whist i understand his point at being angry, it was the wrong time to ‘take a stand’ so to speak. sure there is a relationship in parent company between foxtel and the sunday tele but what has been reported has nothing to do with foxtel the fox sports crew covering the game the other night and who incidentally put in a substantial amount of cash to the ffa’s – and by extension – tim cahill’s wallet. unfortunately by taking such a public stance he has thrown more fuel onto the fire which i’m sure (in the daily tele’s warped opinion) contributed to them pursuing it further and coming up with more trash on their back page today. almost unbackable odds that our old friend rebecca “convicted twice for drink driving” wilson will take the moral high ground in her piece tomorrow. i also agree with jesse that simon hill, bozza and trimmers are a class apart from anything else on the fox sports football panel. bozza is fantastic. articulate, insightful and forthright with his opinion which have substance to them. hopefully he has a long career ahead of him in football commentary.
NUFCMVFC said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment
Kurt,
The issue here is that unlike the AFL and NRL, where they are just trying to generate Tabloid headlines, the Telegraphs antics, which includes NRL writers trying to say Pim is holding the game back and the Socceroos are boring using terminology that does not belong to football (and therefore does not constitute informed constructive criticism) constitute part of an agenda to try to undermine football given their commercial and cultural links to other sports, and the changing landscape is scary to them
This was all a part to try to take the shine off the fact that Australia was launching a World Cup bid, the “boring Socceroos” mantra is decised to try to undermine the gloss and anticipation of the year long World Cup lead in time, to try to undermine building exctiement amongst the general sporting pulbic
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Personally, I too would have preferred to see a bit more graciousness from Timmy. He acknowledged the crowd, fair enough, but what about the viewer at home? He put on a million dollar performance the other night, the questions re Japan were pertinent, and it would have been a bit nicer for him to have shown a bit more grace.
If Muskie can front the camera after a 2-0 loss at home to SFC and give a good account of himself, I’m sure Timmy could have done even better after a big win.
Ho Tra said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:37am | Report comment
This is about Melanie? Melanie who? Who cares?
keeper11 said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:40am | Report comment
Hey Kurt..
When the ’sockah’ boys start appearing ..even once ! on the front page next to nice smiling kiddy holding a round ball …
like the conga line of frontpage NRL ’superstar footy heroes’ we have inflicted down our throats and have to endure every second day of the week…then you may have a point…
until then…..as they say..’is that the truth or that the tele’
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
Yes AFL & NRL get a bad rap from the media, no doubt about it & in many cases treated unfairly. But for every story about the bad boys of NRL & AFL there are many stories on how good Geelong are or what a player Buddy Franklin is or why Trent Barrett goes the NSW jersey ahead of Terry Campese or how Qld are going for a four in row (series) against NSW.
I could handle stories about Cahill if we were getting stories about how Neill has now played up to 50-60 games season to play for his country on how well the Aussies did to qualify for the for the WC undefeated or how great it is for Australia to bid for the WC. No all we get is the rubbish news.
For someone who protrays that they enjoy an intelligent debate Kurt, you always paint a very one sided story, where is the balance?
Jesse Fink said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:53am | Report comment
“The patronising description of McLaughlin as ‘telegenic with brains and something useful to say about the game she covers.’ is unbelievable. Something useful? Oh well done! Nobody would ever describe a male broadcaster in that way.”
Hahahahahaha. Do you ever watch Fox Sports, Tom?
Art Sapphire said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:00am | Report comment
The FFA sanction him for what exactly??
He said his piece and good on him.
He does not need to apologise to anyone.
What do we want here – automatons who go by the script and answer according to the bland media handbook.
AndrewM said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:03am | Report comment
Jesse,
Don’t agree with you. The way he acted has certainly rattled some feathers in News Ltd. and I wouldnt be suprised if there was an internal backlash going on with the editor who pushed the Tim Cahill story to the front page of the Sunday Terrorgraph whilst moving the World Cup bid to page 5 or something.
This happend on what Thursday night? and they held it over till Sunday their biggest selling day to smear the World Cup bid.
There are some powerful football people within News ltd and i am pretty sure that this time, because of the way Cahill reacted, the editor would have been bent over for this one.
GeneralAshnak said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Sorry Jesse, can’t agree with your call. I love Mel, she is a great analyst and interviewer. It is irrelevant that Mel is a woman, who cares? Timmy could have been a bit nicer, I guess. But what cause did he have? He didn’t want to deal with the media here at all but had to, so he trotted out the only thing he felt he could say without getting himself in trouble.
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Cahill is Australia’s no 1 sporting star & he should be revered & adored not falsely accused & apolgetic.
Tom said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Yeah, have a good laugh Jesse.
You’re the one judging her on the basis of her gender.
I don’t think you’d have written this article if Cahill had snubbed, say, Robbie Slater. You certainly wouldn’t have made repeated references to his sex. So to write this article you’d have to believe one of two things. Either Cahill was disrespectful to her on the basis of her gender, which would be serious, but you never said that and I don’t think anyone believes it. Or you believe she should be treated with kid gloves because she’s a woman. So which is it?
As far as I can tell, Melanie McLaughlin is a perfectly sensible and resilient individual who doesn’t need any special favours.
Treating her as some kind of fragile petal because, and only because, she’s a woman is demeaning and insulting to all women involved in football commentary.
But yeah, laugh it away. Thats even better.
sheek said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:14am | Report comment
Yeah, it was tough on Mel McLaughlan, but she handled the situation like a true professional. I hope her fiancee appreciates her, I mean, really appreciates her!
I notice the Daily Tele are going on with the story today, with one of the bouncers giving his version of the night’s events. No one is bigger than the game, & I would hope Tim Cahill understands that.
Like many others, I don’t know the true events of the night in question, so until the absolute truth comes out, I don’t have any choice but to give Cahill the benefit of the doubt. But if this happens to him again, it will be too much of a coincidence.
The appears to be a bigger agenda going on here with News Ltd attempting to muscle in on the Socceroos as an accredited news service. I think we’re going to see a lot of this in the next 6 months.
I think News Ltd might be saying, “Give us favoured status, or more of this dirt might find its way into the news”. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking – surely this sort of stuff doesn’t happen!
Not much……….
mark said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:15am | Report comment
The next interesting question Mel asks a player will be the first one. Her questions are utterly cliched and generally poorly delivered. If she weren’t “telegenic” she wouldn’t be anywhere near the tv.
Paul Trimboli is the only insightful member of the commentary team.
Finno said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:16am | Report comment
I like Kurts comments it shows how that NRL media types think. Its pretty clear that he hates football ( which is fine its his choice). The attention football is wanting is instead of 4 pages in on the Courier Mail sports section, the game was the biggest sporting event on Wednesday in Australia. To have 70,000 people to an event that was a dead rubeer is pretty impressive and at least news worthy. yet the first 3 pages where all about origin and where the Qld team where staying. It pretty bloody obvious that the Courier Mail also hates football. i wonder if there is a fear by News Ltd of football or is it just blind ignorance?
AGO74 said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:20am | Report comment
further to my opinion on mark bosnich not only being an excellent commentator, have a look at this article on the timmy cahill situation. i concur with everything he says.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25656861-5003460,00.html
DiCanio said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:21am | Report comment
If you’re going to talk to someone at least do them the courtesy of looking at them.
Already mentioned this on another article, but Timmy isn’t wrong in doing what he did, it’s just a shame that he sinks to the Telegraph’s level. Now he has passed on his frustrations to someone who wasn’t involved, and then what…
This is how circles of drama perpetuate themselves. Part of being the best is being the bigger person. It’s natural for a fellow Journalist to want to jump to the defense of a collegue, and its not sexist to suggest that as a woman working in a position dominated by men is ‘telegenic with brains and something useful to say about the game she covers.’ Hell that description fits Simon Hill and Bozza as well.
I think that McLaughlin will come out of this as the bigger person. I don’t want to see Cahill sanctioned, You would think he would have gotten on the phone and apologised anyway. Bit of on air theatrics is maybe good for the game.
Personally i dont care how many female sports reporters there are or aren’t, but I’m smart enough to realise its good for our game to have women involved, because it will attract more to the sport. And we are lucky in having someone like Mel Mc as opposed to Rebecca Wilson working on our game.
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:21am | Report comment
Robbos
Timmy is probably very close to Australia’s number one sporting star at the moment – all the more reason for him to behave in an acceptable manner in a post-match interview – it comes with the turf.
True Tah said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Sheek
who are you going to believe, a bouncer earning a pittance per hour or Australia’s biggest sports star…sorry I think the bouncer would be just trying to bring Cahill down, a case of the tall poppy syndrome, doesnt surprise me that the Telecrap would use this as a story.
Anyway, the bloody nightclub should be happy that Cahill went there, the best promotion they could have hoped for.
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:26am | Report comment
By the way – I absolutely love Bozza as a special comments person – I hope he now has a permanent gig in that role. He speaks very well (surprisingly so), brings enormous experience to the role (in more ways than one), and shares fantastic insights, treating the viewer with a good deal of respect – I love him already.
JF said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:26am | Report comment
Finno,
70,000 people in Melbourne, not Brisbane. The courier mail is a brisbane newspaper, I have no doubt that the people of Brisbane are more interested in origin than a Soceroos dead rubber.
DiCanio said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Bosnich is a footballing treasure. Australia’s prodigal son. Proof that a person can grow through adversity. Pick your cliche. I straight up love the man.
Cpaaa said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:37am | Report comment
Fink you have just created the same situation yourself. You dont even realize, or do you?
i was actually waiting for a different article that was even mentioned on other threads about what the HTO would write. Your fans, and fans of another player that has worked so hard to make the starting eleven and even gained praise from Pim himself…and not even a mention, nothing, nada,zip. Not even in the posts, and im not going to mention it either, im doing a Timmy as well. very disappointed in you indeed! But ill get over it..
sheek said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:37am | Report comment
True Tah,
What you say is my first inkling also. There’s a bit of the wild west fastest gun mentality here. You know the legend, fastest gun trying to forget his past, but every young buck out to make a name for himself wants to take him on.
It’s like that with celebrities. Guys, even gals, will try to cause some ruckus to aggravate the celebrity, then feign innocence on their part. Even if Cahill lost his cool (which is understandable), who, or how, did the ruckus start?
I still wonder if there is a greater agenda here being driven by News Ltd, who want an inside rail seating for their journalists at next year’s WC.
DiCanio said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Question re : News Ltd Agenda
Are we saying that they atre essentially blackmailing the sport by running dodgy articles until FFA cave into some sort fo demand?
Cpaaa said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:48am | Report comment
JF 70,000 to watch Australia play boce is more important than an origin match one week away. Australia should always be a priority FIRST!
Dicanio i concur- bozza is a treasure.
Jesse Fink said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:55am | Report comment
Mel’s gender has nothing to do with it and never has, Tom. If it was Trimboli or Slater or anyone who had interviewed Cahill it wouldn’t have mattered. Cahill acted inappropriately. I laughed at your righteous comments because, as I was implying, there are plenty of male “himbos” who work for Fox as journos. Mel is actually one of the best they’ve got, male or female. Where does that leave you, indignant one?
Jesse Fink said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Cpaaa, do you know how many blogs I write? Check out TWG around midday.
Barry said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:58am | Report comment
100% DISAGREE with you Jesse. I think that Timmy was making a statement. It was unfortunate that Mel paid for the Daily Telegraphs disgraceful attack on him his faamily as well as their continual attack on our game. What you should be doing is writing an article about how the anti football media in this country works 24/7 to think of ways to attack football whenever the Socceroos come home to play.
In this country, Football writers tend to just take it from the NRL, Union and AFL media and never hit back at their codes. You do not see SBS on a Sunday afternoon have a discussion about the NRL players and their behaviour. You do not see the 442 have artcles about the NRLs past forays into group sex. But the NRL media in particular will go out of their way in their editorials to attack Football when ever they can…and I am sick and tired of it. The football media tend to sit back and say nothing.
However this incident with Tim now gives you as a FOOTBALL writer and the other football writers in this country the right in the future to write an article about the indiscretions of NRL players.
Jesse, start attacking the anti football media and stop attacking one of your own. What would have happened if it was Nicky Carle was the one that the DT went after. Mate you would have been on your soap box asap. Get your prioroties right and go after the anti football journos who embarress themselves day in and out!
sheek said | June 19th 2009 @ 10:58am | Report comment
DiCanio,
That’s what I’m suggesting.
Midfielder said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
Jes
You have lost the forum … Timmy did the right thing… Simon Hill in his wrap up of the match said Timmy was OK… Crikey have backed Timmy and are calling for Breens head …
My reading of the tea leafs is the TerrORgraph ran a number of anti football articles and did some very funny things around the launch of the WC bid… I honesty believe they had an agenda but what is was I am unsure … but they went to far way to far … in the past they may have got away with it.. But Alan Jones likes Timmy and his interview with Breen showed the TerrOR up for what it was..
Was at my local club watching the match on Wd night and even the union & leaguies watching were siding with Timmy…
I think Breen may have done himself a lot of harm…. Bozza backed him on the night, Simon Hill has backed him both from Fox… Alan Jones … Crikey … Breen is the one in trouble IMO, and I hope the toerag gets his head ripped off.
GeneralAshnak said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:02am | Report comment
I definately concur that this thread needs to derail and be about Bozza, deadset legend! Helps that he played for the 2nd greatest football club after AUFC, Manchester United! (Have a go Pips, I have left myself wide open
)
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Timmy’s getting a fair bit of support here, which I find a little bit surprising. What Timmy had to put up with was crappy (although hardly the end of the world), and then to pretty much take it out on an innocent party with what amounted to behaviour that we would normally not support, I’m not sure why people are accepting of that.
Surely we’re able to seperate out the issues and admit that Timmy didn’t have to act that way after such a great game and result.
In fact, he could have answered one or two questions and then looked down the barrel of the camera and given a serve to those who had tried to do him in, and the crowd would have cheered him even more!
rory said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
cant say i agree with this one jesse, i didnt see much wrong if on one side the daily telegraph falsify a story and make a massive deal out of it, and tim cahill makes a very small gesture to the media in return, he could have just ignored them fullstop but went on to recognise the great fan support and left it at that. until the story of cahills “drunken embarrasment” is pulled or an apology is offered by the daily, who as youve pointed out has links to foxsports, he has every right to do as he did. well done timmy and keep churning out the goals…
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
2nd greatest club General!! We should applaud you for saying it!!!
Midfielder said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
We all know the Mariners are the best … goes without saying
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:09am | Report comment
Pip,
I thought he acted in a perfectly acceptable manner, he had a grievances with New Ltd & the media. He was gracious to the people who had backed him. Maybe you may not have acted in the same way, but it was his reaction. Cahill does alot of good here in Australia, for Football & the community.
The AFL boy Cousins has done some things that doesn’t make him the best role model, but him sticking his finger at a camera in the dressing room was NOT newsworthy & there was no need for the media to show that to the public.
Midfielder said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:11am | Report comment
TerrORgraph up to their tricks agian
.. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25658457-5006068,00.html
Bouncer reveals why he had to turf Tim Cahill
GeneralAshnak said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:13am | Report comment
Hey Jesse, unfortunately you chose to use Mel’s gender in your blog. This directly indicates that you believe her gender is of importance to the situation. If it had been Hill or Slater would you have said male analyst? I don’t think so. You cannot be upset or self righteous about being called up over using Mel’s gender by then saying she is a better analyst than some male Faux presenters. You would be better served saying that the use of her gender was a mistake made due to the rarity of female analysts and presenters still in the sporting world, unless they are covering traditional female games like netball. Personally I don’t care about their gender; I just want them to be intelligent and articulate.
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Bozza is telegenic with brains
Melanie McLaughlin is telegenic with brains
So what is Rebecca Wilson?
WA said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
I agree. “Australia’s greatest sports star” came off looking like a wanker.
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Robbos
this is what I mean about seperating out the issues.
Of course Timmy has done a lot of good, and is actually very close to overtaking Harry in the legendary stakes – but that’s all the more reason for him to have fulfilled his post-match obligations with grace, and chosen another means of expressing his distaste for what happened (or just let it go, at the end of the day, everyone accepts it was a non-issue).
At the end of the day, this nightclub story is just a tiny blip on the radar, it doesn’t even warrant another moment of our attention.
Finno said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:17am | Report comment
I agree that it a World Cup game in Melbounre isnt the most interesting read in Brisbane. Regardless 4 pages in is a bit rough.
I do see that New Ltd wouldnt want to advertise a program on Fox Sports and thats probably fair enough. The Courier Mail is more about advertising that news anyway.
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:20am | Report comment
Pip,
But as you can see from other posters here & the crowd at the game, he did act with grace, he was upset with the media, unfortunate that Mel happen to be the face of the media at the times, he choose the cliches, the fans won us the game, thanks to the fans & the rest of the lads, don’t focus on my goals. Dignity plus.
sledgeross said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
Yawn, who really cares.
Melanie McLaughlin obviously knows her stuff, but has the interviewing skills of a cardboard box. Her monotonous and insipid questioning always make me shudder. Tim thanked the crowd and the effort of his team. Its the fact that she is a woman that she is on tv, as she has a very weak onscreen presence.
Tim, and all the players have all been courteous to her in post match interviews in the past, so its nothing personal.
Barry said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:32am | Report comment
I just copied this from a post from Kevin Airs from the 442 page…sorry to take your thunder mate but its priceless
Kevin wrote:
Man qualifies for World Cup, man goes out, man gets drunk, man gets refused service, man argues, man leaves.
Number of punches – zero
Number of secretaries bashed – zero
Number of sponsor’s daughters groped – zero
Number of drugs scandals – zero
Number of group sex sessions – zero
Number of slush funds set up – zero
Number of rapes – zero
Number of training camps paid for with the alleged proceeds of crime – zero
Number of pisses in public – zero
Number of arrests – zero
Level of shame and disgrace over Tim’s celebrations – zero.
We really have got a long way to go before we can match rugby league in this country…
Well said Kevin
Rob said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:32am | Report comment
You are wrong Jesse,
The Daily Telegraph should apologize to him.
He has every right to Thank his fans as all the fans are behind him. Its not that he refused to be interviewed, he just gave a different answer. This is not an exam to check whether he gave the right answer or not. Its just a stupid interview. Why would be want to call himself a villain of the Japanese people?
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:36am | Report comment
heh, heh, KA always has a good way of putting things into perspective with an efficiency of word usage.
Los Oso said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:36am | Report comment
IFirstly, ‘m a big fan of your work Jesse, read all your blogs religiously, and usually agree with you 100% on just about everything.
But to suggest Cahill was “ungracious” and “..must be called to account by the FFA” is alarmism, bordering on insanity.
Cahill sincerely and earnestly thanks the crowd and fans for their support – twice, and after his disgraceful treatment by the Murdoch-owned Telegraph he had every right to be curt with the Murdoch-owned Fox Sports.
Had he been dowright rude to them, then fair enough, that’s not acceptable, but he wasn’t – he used the interview to get a message across – one spoken and another unspoken.
I expected a smug blog about Nicky Carle to be honest – but I’ll check TWG in a few hours when your next blog is posted
Rob said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
Jesse,
How come you are not writing about NICK CARLE rather than this stupid blog. He almost got a full game. Isn’t that something for you. Your prayers have finally been answered.
What if it was NICK CARLE in that position? Would you still ask him to apologize. I’m sure you would have written 10 blogs in his favour by now.
keeper11 said | June 19th 2009 @ 11:44am | Report comment
..and could add..
number of complaints by alleged ‘victim’ – ZERO
number of enquiries by police– ZERO
number of journalists with any level of professionalism, ethics, objectivity and respectability at Tele- ZERO
The Link said | June 19th 2009 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Welcome to being a mainstream sport in Australia boys, dontcha just love the attention!!
For what its worth, Timmy was perfectly within his rights to respond the way he did.
Koala Bear said | June 19th 2009 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Rob,
good on ya son… I’m a Nicky Carle and Timmy Cahill fan … so is Jesse in truth … but with the greatest respect to Jesse and Timmy we differ on this one… I can understand both sides… I thought Timmy could have acknowledge not only the crowd of 70k for turning up on the night; but the whole Football Family supporters which I’m one who watched on Fox.. But in saying that, I am glad he didn’t give the one finger salute al a Benny Cousins…
But I want to talk about Nicky.. What a great ambassador he is to Australian Football… Have you seen his media interview after the match…? Brilliant ..!! Pure Gold..! This guy is so humble and never has a bad word for anyone in the Australian Football set-up… What a champion bloke he is… Thanks Rob, for mentioning Nicky Carle’s name I was busting to get this Nicky Carle accolade in….
~~~~~
KB
Savvas Tzionis said | June 19th 2009 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
Jesse,
You are correct.
Cahill shows his arrogance by this attitude.
He preens around like he is king of the world.
He uses the word ‘pride’ often when he talks.
Why does anyone have to tell us they are ‘proud’? Its the most overused word in the western world today.
Does It imply that what you are proud of is better than something else?
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
Pip, the people has spoken about the NO 1 SPORTING STAR in AUSTRALIA. He did no wrong.
Tim Cahill, you are a LEGEND.
I always thought Kewell with all his skill & ability was our no 1, but this guy, doesn’t look great, but just comes up with the business in all the big games
Barry said | June 19th 2009 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Tim Cahill arrogant? What planet are you from Savvas. This is a guy that when he first won his first ever professional contract in the UK ensured that his folks never had to work again and looked after them. This is a guy who will go out of his way to speak to supporters after games. This is a guy that could been earning double the money he is at Everton at eny epl club in the uk but stays there as he is thankful that Moyes gave him a break and a shot to play in the EPL!
Arrogant? Hardly chief.
Ben Cousins, Willy mason, Justin Hodges ….thats what you called arrogant!
keeper11 said | June 19th 2009 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
Atleast we get some semblance of truth and facts in Fairfax….
Maybe this whole Tele v sockah/Cahill pathetic dirt campaign should be renamed…
‘Batting for Benji’ …ha
Benji wipeout shows tide running against league
June 19, 2009
If ever there was an example of rugby league’s stars falling, surely this is it. Even reality television is shunning the NRL’s best and brightest.
Wests Tigers halfback Benji Marshall is one of the biggest stars in the game, and while it may not be a case of the bigger they are, the harder they fall, he has been tainted with the same broad brush that is covering league players in the wake of 2009’s year of sex, lies and, in the case of former Cronulla CEO Tony Zappia, audiotape.
Marshall’s management was approached about his client, a premiership winner at 20 and a World-Cup winner at 23, taking part in a celebrity surfing television program this year. However, it was eventually decided he was not the right fit for the show – because of his profession.
Marshall’s manager, Martin Tauber, has raised the knock-back with NRL chief executive David Gallop, and it seems it is not an isolated case. Team sponsors are hard to find but individual ones are lost in the same rough. Another manager said yesterday: “The companies don’t go for league players anymore.”
Marshall is by and large a cleanskin. Last June, he appeared to be set up as much as caught up in drama in Kings Cross, when photos were snapped of a man who had verbally abused him taking a swing at him. Marshall feared he was the victim of a sting, what the Herald later termed “trapperazzi”. The goalposts of rugby league were said to have shifted dramatically from that moment. Only later would we learn by how much.
That was almost a year ago to the day. In that 12 months, the reputations of NRL players have taken a battering amid sexual assault charges against Manly fullback Brett Stewart and the damning Four Corners report into sexual practices. Being a rugby league player ain’t what it used to be.
Glenn Jackson
Tom said | June 19th 2009 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
Jesse.
Rubbish.
‘telegenic with brains and something useful to say about the game she covers.’
‘The same cannot be said for all of of her stablemates, male and female, at the pay-TV station.’
‘a bright, pleasant young woman just trying to do her job’
Why refer to ‘male and female’ stablemates?
Have you ever referred to a man as ‘bright and pleasant’?
I don’t know if you’re responsible for the headline, but in what way was McLaughlin ‘belittled’?
Everyone else in the universe interpreted it as either a swipe at the media or at newscorp. For some reason you’ve personalised it to this one individual. Why? Anyone else would be expected to realise that this was not a personal attack. What is special about McLaughlin that she would require a personal apology?
The overwhelming impression I get from this article is the suggestion that this one individual needs some kind of special protection on the basis of her gender.
I strongly doubt you’d have written in these terms about one of Foxsports’ ‘himbos’, as you call them. I also doubt you’d have lauded any of them for having ’something useful to say’.
So I’m left with the conclusion that this is an incredibly patronising, unnecessary article. And yeah, I am indignant about it.
Now how about you have a rethink of your own prejudices and try to do a little better next time?
cosmos forever said | June 19th 2009 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
pretty hard for Cahill not to be an arrogant w*nker – he is coached by David Moise…
Mark said | June 19th 2009 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
You call yourself a football supporter Fink? After so much web space dedicated and for so long, you finally get what you wanted, a starting place for Nicky Carle. What do you do afterward? The first thing you do is calling for Cahill to be sanctioned? Sanctioned for what? For scoring 2 goals or for thanking the fan or taking a stand against a media empire that just is trying to degrade you with false and misleading reports? It’s you who should be sanctioned. After reading this blog, I’m only glad the FFA did not invite you to the Australia bid launch cuz who know what rubbish you would come away with.
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
Bloody hell – damned if you do and damned if you don’t!!!
Dickroo said | June 19th 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
Very good call, Jesse.
Tim should have turned that golden opportunity to a PR masterstroke, by saying something like thank the Fox for constant support of the game and giving a great coverage, and joke about News Ltd has always been a great watchdog over all codes football players, and look forward to their next “story”, may be from the Chk Chk Boom girl, who knows.
Showing the whole world his magnanimous of a mature man, a charming star, a great ambassador for the beautiful game and a role model for the next generation.
That, I will call Tim a superstar. Brighter than his two goals.
Dickroo said | June 19th 2009 @ 2:03pm | Report comment
That will put Rugby players into Soccer players’ shadow forever.
Keep up the good work, Jesse!
There’s something more important than scoring goals!
Albert Ross said | June 19th 2009 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
Is that the truth – or did you read it in The Daily Telegraph?
Art Sapphire said | June 19th 2009 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
Nick Carle just told me he is very disappointed in this piece.
In his humble, unnassuming way, he said that he went on the Roar website this morning expecting to read Jesse sing his praises after the game on Wednesday night.
Yes, he did admit to giving the ball away cheaply a few times in the first half but he did improve enough in the second half to justify Pim’s selection and to allow Jesse to write another few hundred words about what a wonderful player he truly is.
Not only did Jesse not right about him, he had the double disappointment to see his mate Timmy being unjustly disparaged by his favourite writer.
He has asked Roar readers not to sanction Jesse as it was a momentary lapse in judgement.
Even writers can have bad days.
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
Now back to the State of Origin!!!!
cosmos forever said | June 19th 2009 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
BTW – I’ll tell you who else should be sanctioned – bloody Nike.
Why is it that the shirts never fit our players – they look like they got dressed in the car on the way to the ground.
Adidas outshone us on the night I’m afraid…
Finno said | June 19th 2009 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
I can tell you know Tim Cahill has a Milwall tat. and Everton tat. He say it because hes is just thankful that they gave him the opportunity to play. and he doesnt regret getting them. Ask any Milwall, Everton or Socceroo fan what they think of Cahill?. The man gives 100% nothing short, if arrogance is his problem well he shows it in a funny way. He is thanks the public for coming out to watch him, very arrogant statement indeed.
Koala Bear said | June 19th 2009 @ 3:21pm | Report comment
Art,
about that ball that Nicky gave away with his signature on it to Brett Holman… Nice gesture hey … The bigger they are, the nicer they are, hey… I love the advice on it as well … One shot on target and one assist to Timmy for a goal… Up to you now Brettii to win back your spot …
~~~~~~~
KB
Lazza said | June 19th 2009 @ 3:31pm | Report comment
“I notice the Daily Tele are going on with the story today, with one of the bouncers giving his version of the night’s events.”
The cowards can’t name the bouncer of course? They are not interested in posts that tell the truth either. Gee you have some crap papers up there. Makes our Adelaide ‘Advertiser’ look like a quality broadsheet in comparison.
Koala Bear said | June 19th 2009 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Received my first email from FFA come play campaign….
Hi Koala Bear,
So far over 16,000 people have joined our bid to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Invite your friends to sign up also, and make your workplace or football club one of the many groups who are following the bid.
Each person you invite to join the bid will earn you 25 points. Remember, the more who sign up, the stronger our case!”
~~~~~~~
KB
mahony said | June 19th 2009 @ 3:50pm | Report comment
Kurt – go away and take your poison with you. You are a little person.
Pippinu said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Lazza
I hear the ’tiser is good for serving up a pie floater.
I wouldn’t have described Timmy as arrogant either.
A momentary lapse of judgment, yes, but not arrogant.
Bruce said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
When I heard the Kings Cross nightclub involved in this incident with Timmy was the Trademark I was not surprised… i had a private party at the Trademark last year. I found the bouncers and manager to be rude and arrogant individuals who barred 10 people on the guest list from entering due to what they termed “inappropriate attire.” Disgraceful, will never go back there again!
Greg Russell said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
Isn’t it sufficient “punishment” for Cahill that he made himself look a plonker with this interview? One can be cynical about “the public”, but the truth is that the public are not as stupid en masse as many supposedly intelligent people like to think. That, after all, is the basis of democracy. Cahill will not have endeared himself to many people with this post-match interview, and his manager should be furious with him – after a wonderful display on the field, and at precisely a time when sponsors would have been thinking “I WANT A PART OF THAT MAN!”, he comes out and does an interview which would have made said moneymen put their chequebooks straight back into their pockets.
Cpaaa said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
Thankyou Mr. Fink. I know you write a lot, but that’s football and we demand it.
Now my opinion,
Firstly to Melanie McLaughlin (the perfect Women)
Intelligent, Beautiful, Brunette and loves Football, I have one myself.
Unfortunately caught off guard by Timmy ignoring the question. No big issue…this was about Timmy.
Considering that this week, Cahill, was betrayed by an anti-football paper as a drunken sod, pub brawler, and had his family harassed in the wee hours of the morning would surely have him portray any media in a negative light, he is human after all. It also probably didn’t help that Pim had a “No Media” policy last week. A spiral of events and it continues….
Being Tim Cahill I thought he would have handled the situation in any other way instead of simply flagging the question. Considering he is experienced amongst the most ruthless media on the planet.
I think Pip said it spot on earlier “it doesn’t even warrant another moment of our attention.”
But every extra post on this subject, including mine, keeps this story burning for the wrong reasons.
Now switch your attention to the HTO story weve all been waiting for on TWG.
Ben of Phnom Penh said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
Whilst I agree that it is hardly an issue that is worthy of the amount of coverage it has received given that we just defeated Japan 2-1 in front of 70,000 people there is an interesting point, that to be a professional athlete there are media obligations and conventions which need to be observed. As it is primarily television rights that are financing professional footballer’s salaries there is an expectation for a certain level of interaction with those same media outlets, particularly those that are directly footing the bill. This is the same in any profession that works with clients. The reality is that both sides need each other and maintaining relationships is crucial. Whilst I agree that Tim has the right to be upset there is still a need to maintain that relationship.
I’d love for this to not be the case and that footballers just received money via the gate and generous owners however unless professional footballers are all prepared to play for AUD30,000 a year then this will not be a reality. Reality is a complex inter-relationship that needs constant attention.
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
From 442,
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph has been running a week-long smear campaign on the Australia star, alleging he had a night of “disgrace” and “shame” at the Kings Cross bar last week.
It even ran claims today that he had been banned from returning to the high class nightspot, with anonymous quotes allegedly from a club bouncer saying: “He’s not welcome back.”
But the owner of the bar today said: “We love Tim Cahill and he’s always welcome here as our guest. He’s a national hero who has taken us to the World Cup.
“They’ve blown it out of all proportion. I don’t know what they are going on about. I don’t want Tim to look like a bad guy. It was just a simple misunderstanding.”
Salvato – who went to the same Bexley school as Cahill – revealed Tim had celebrated the success of World Cup qualification with him at the bar on Wednesday night without any incident.
But when Cahill returned the following night without Salvato, a junior manager at the bar insisted strict Australian drinking laws meant bar staff were unable to serve him.
“If you look even slightly intoxicated, we are not allowed to serve you,” explained Salvato. “Tim didn’t understand this because he lives in England where you can drink as much as you like.”
The situation became heated when the doorman intervened.
Salvato added: “The doorman got his knickers in a knot. We don’t employ the doormen directly, we use a security company and no-one knew who he was.
“He certainly doesn’t speak for Trademark. He had no right to talk about this. If he had a personal issue with Tim, that’s his personal issue.”
He added: “It was a nothing incident that should never have happened. Tim was just partying and then left. No punches were thrown and nothing else happened. There was no ‘disgrace’ or ’shame’.
“Police only became involved after the media phoned them. They came down, looked at the CCTV video, saw there was nothing to investigate and that was it.
“The Telegraph got it way out of line and I don’t understand why they have been doing this.”
sledgeross said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
It is a double standard somehwhat though. The Daily Smellegraph is JUST as severe, if not moreso on player indiscretions from rugby league. I dont know why people take it so personally.
There is no vendetta in this case. Its a gossipy story. Cahill would have been dragged even further through the wringer if he was WIlly mason etc
Barry said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:32pm | Report comment
Sledge, I think the problem is that enough is enough with the DT and every media outliet that hates our game trying to smear the code of Football. I think that all fans of football in here have had enough of over the years being told that you play poofterball or fagball. These twats at the DT are the school boy boofhead league players who continue to say this again and agian and I have to say, its time that we as football supporters stood up and said….
“SHUT THE F*CK UP” and worry about your own little game.
If you want to just sit back and go ….you know…stop it stop being mean. Whinge away but its about time that the codes supporters stood up and said, we love our game and be proud of it. I LOVE Football and only want whats best for the code.
The problem is its peoples inactions that has kept the code down for so long. The game has moved so far ahead due to this crop of players that we have as well as the current board of the FFA. I think that this code deserves a lot more respect in the media.
MVDave said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
Greg
” Isn’t it sufficient “punishment” for Cahill that he made himself look a plonker with this interview? One can be cynical about “the public”, but the truth is that the public are not as stupid en masse as many supposedly intelligent people like to think. That, after all, is the basis of democracy. Cahill will not have endeared himself to many people with this post-match interview, and his manager should be furious with him ”
Sorry but just not the case…yesterday Cahill had a signing/promotion at Myers and according to the organisers drew the most people to such an event for 15 years since Steffi graph did one!! The public dont care about such trivial BS stirred up by some looking for something to write about (if not the game and occassion were enough). Everyone in the media needs an angle it seems. A nothing story which will have no impact upon how Cahill is seem by fans and sponsors alike…check out the full page add in todays papers by one of his sponsors for example.
Millster said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:50pm | Report comment
This is one of those cases where I find it funny how the internet can turn discussions into black and white, with no room for the hundreds of shades of grey in between.
My take -
Was it the perfect situation and the ideal (eg interesting, specific, insightful) post-match interview? No.
But did Tim Cahill do any of the potentially more serious blunders that he could have, including i) not taking the interview at all, or ii) bringing the issue up in the interview (both of which would have further inflamed the situation)? No.
So on balance, given he was not happy with the media but had a duty to do, he did it without seriously slipping up.
And I must say, at the MCG on the night, without thinking about the circumstances, his comments seemed nice and were well received. I didn’t think about them being strange at all, as I am very used to generic non-answers by players of all codes in post-match interviews. So I didn’t notice this issue until getting back to Sydney today.
Bottom line is I agree this whole issue is a bit of a beat up. I see where Jesse is coming from in terms of wanting footballers to differentiate themselves through an intelligent, positive relationship with the media. So I’m not 100% against the issue being raised here. But on balance I really don’t think its a biggie. The real story about our Timmy is coming back from a quiet first half to score a classic little double and win us the game.
Robbos said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
Sledge, unlike AFL & NRL, these media people only print the negative things about football. We qualified for WC, we bidding for WC, 15 pages in the sport section. A drunkard footballer, causing no harm, front page, two people fighting at the football, racial brawls.
Tom said | June 19th 2009 @ 4:59pm | Report comment
Yeah I tend to agree with Millster.
Millster said | June 19th 2009 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
Robbos, Sledge, others, just be patient. And be happy. First of all the Tele (and Herald) are tabloids, and their whole purpose is hype and scandal. In a perverse sense I’m happy that they deem a footballer to be a big enough star to target with their drivel and innuendo; even that in a twisted sense is a glimmer of recognition. And second, we can expect the votriole to rise further. Cornered snake behaviour etc. The more hysterical it gets from the detractors due to them sensing themselves losing their grip on the sporting agenda, the more it is a recognition that we are getting to the real tipping point in the community and reaching our goals for football in this country.
Mr said | June 19th 2009 @ 5:07pm | Report comment
From Simon Hill on Fox got it spot on in regards to the Tele;
“Quite why the paper is so against football remains a mystery, but, frankly, its football coverage (if you can call it that) is now so ridiculously transparent in its slant to have become embarrassing rather than annoying. One can only feel sorry for the true football reporters who have to work there under such circumstances; not that they write many of the football articles these days. ”
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25655649-5019052,00.html
Millster said | June 19th 2009 @ 5:13pm | Report comment
Oh and one final note, not scientific just anecdotal.
On Thursday down in Melbourne I spent the day after the game in the city with my dear fiance. Lots of eating, lots of shopping, just generally enjoying the place (it was a lovely day to boot). Hundreds of people wearing Socceroos gear the day after the match, all the way from kids to old folk. By far and away the most visible strip in terms of support (like by a 90% majority)
And equally pleasing, I was in the DFO mall right near Spencer Street Station for an hour, and a Socceroo was in there shopping and wandering around with a mate. All the kids recognised him, were saying hi, were asking for autographs and handshakes. Was it Kewell? Cahill? Schwartzer? Neill? One of those players that the ‘plebs’ know even if they don’t know the game? No. The kids were recognising and celebrating and discussing Coyne.
Just small things, but put a real smile on my face and an extra dose of promise in my heart.
tifosi said | June 19th 2009 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
article from 442
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/105927,trademark-tims-welcome-any-time.aspx
Joe FC said | June 19th 2009 @ 5:39pm | Report comment
I agree with you Jesse. While I can understand why he reacted the way he did Tim was wrong to treat the interviewer (in the case Melanie McLaughlin) with such disdain. Having been wrongfully accused & humilated he has unwittingly done the same thing to Melanie. Tim owes the girl an apology.
Midfielder said | June 19th 2009 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
Milly
Thanks for your last post it was enjoyable to read…
Jesse Fink said | June 19th 2009 @ 6:24pm | Report comment
“I’m left with the conclusion that this is an incredibly patronising, unnecessary article. And yeah, I am indignant about it.
Now how about you have a rethink of your own prejudices and try to do a little better next time?” Fair dinkum, Tom, are you a nong? “Prejudices”? WTF are you on about?! Referring to someone as “telegenic with brains” is not a sexist comment. It could refer to a man or a woman. Why not refer to “male or female”? There are stupid telegenic males in television as there are stupid telegenic women. And blow me down! I called Mel “bright and pleasant”. What an insult! And I’ve never said Cahill’s protest was directed at McLaughlin. She, however, was the recipient of it and she did not deserve it. As for: “The overwhelming impression I get from this article is the suggestion that this one individual needs some kind of special protection on the basis of her gender.” I think you need to work on your reading and comprehension skills, mate. And as for: “I strongly doubt you’d have written in these terms about one of Foxsports’ ‘himbos’, as you call them. I also doubt you’d have lauded any of them for having ’something useful to say’.” Are you aware of anything I’ve written about Fox and my history there? Clearly not. Have a night in on Google and knock yourself out.
Midfielder said | June 19th 2009 @ 7:21pm | Report comment
Jes
Do you still have access to your Fox bloggs… you did one on India Football in April 200??? .. would love to get a hold of it…
Koala Bear said | June 19th 2009 @ 7:30pm | Report comment
Oh really Millster, you really need to get some new glasses to recognise Nicky Carle when you come across him in shopping mall… I mean to confuse him with Coyne … gawd blimey … are those glass you where thick enough …?
~~~~~~~~
KB
Shar said | June 19th 2009 @ 7:51pm | Report comment
Tim Cahill, champion.
Jesse Fink said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:17pm | Report comment
Midfielder, the same access you do, mate. Via Google. I think it was called “The Birth of Football Cool in India”. If you want a great resource on Indian football, check out indianfootball.com, run out of Germany by Arunava Chaudhuri.
Midfielder said | June 19th 2009 @ 8:58pm | Report comment
Thanks Jes
Midfielder said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:04pm | Report comment
Jes
Thanks its http://blogs.foxsports.com.au/football/index.php/foxsports/comments/the_birth_of_football_cool_in_india/ but better still it opens up those old Foxs articles … and most of yours … good stuff …
The Bear said | June 19th 2009 @ 9:09pm | Report comment
Jesse. Stop thinking like a journo, and start thinking like a sports fan, nay a Socceroo’s fan. Whilst i believe it is unfortunate that Mel was in the line of some fire, she is no doubt able to see what is really going on here, and not internalising it. Don’t be so patronising to her! Tim wanted to send a message to News Ltd/Daily Terrograph: Not happy. In hindsight he may have not wanted to show his feathers ruffled…but then again, maybe he is still (rightfully) fuming over the treatment of the ‘Roos by some sections of the press. Either way… he’s our Tim, and let him be. As long as he doesn’t do anything maliciously illegal, lay off, and (re)search and destroy the REAL issues.
milhouse1 said | June 20th 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment
Im fed up with the spoiled brats of australian football. If you ask me cahill was asking for trouble drinking in a nightclub acouple of days out from a WCQ. If this so called incident had happend during the premier league season in england every paper in england would have ran with the story. Not to mention the television and radio media. Cahill should count his lucky stars that the situation isnt worse. Whats true and what isnt i dont really care. The bouncer has come out and said it was all covered up. but i dont care. The FFA should look at the fact that they allowed players to go out drinking in a nightclub just days out from a WCQ. For me that is the biggest mistake anyone has made. The blame should be put entirely on the FFA.
Robbos said | June 20th 2009 @ 9:41am | Report comment
Now let me think;
Australia already qualified for world cup.
Incident happened on Thursday night, game was next wednesday, these are fit athletes, plenty of time to recover.
This was a the FFA awards function to celebrate their deeds. Most young people would kick on. Just because you are famous why should you live in cocoon.
This does happen in the EPL, but minor incidents like this do not run in every newspaper in England. there are many bigger incidents to write juicy stories on,
Tom said | June 20th 2009 @ 9:51am | Report comment
‘Why not say male or female?’ Because it draws attention to her gender. Why not say ‘all journalists, tall and short’, ‘all journalists, old and young’, ‘all journalists, left and right handed’?
So I’ll ask again: why would you draw attention to her gender like that? And how about a less simplistic response this time.
Its not that its an insult to call someone telegenic, or bright and pleasant. Its that its patronising. You’d never make those remarks about a male journalist. Judging by your comments about ‘himbos’ it seems like you’re contemptuous of male journalists who are employed on the basis of their looks, but you’re perfectly happy for that standard to apply to women.
If you were to write an article asking for an apology to Simon Hill, Craig Foster or one of those himbos, you would never refer to their appearance.You’d never differentiate themselves from their colleagues by describing them as ‘telegenic with brains’ or ‘telegenic and stupid’, to use your own words.
In fact, I doubt you would even write such an article, because you would generally expect those people to be able to take it on the chin when an athlete was rude to them, whether they deserved it or not. You’d expect that of all journalists. Why not of this one? You said yourself that it wasn’t directed at her personally. So why does she need a personal apology?
It didn’t stretch my reading and comprehension skills too far to realise that when your first response to my concerns was ‘Hahahahaha. Do you ever watch Fox sports?’ that you’re not really prepared to take my criticisms seriously. In fact, although I’ve spelt out my problems clearly, you’ve responded with angry denials, glib rebuffs and insults.
Take a good, hard look at yourself.
Ben of Phnom Penh said | June 20th 2009 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
I just watched the start of the Friday night NRL game between the Panthers and the Dogs and lo and behold there was Timmy Cahill, telegenic and with brains, being positive about the socceroos win and claiming the joy he feels watching NRL. Cahill and channel nine have left the Daily Telegraph is something of a bind me-thinks.
jimbo said | June 20th 2009 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
Jesse,
with regards to your comments on Champion Comrade Cahill let me just say that I’d just like to thank the Roar crowd, the lads, a great turnout in the Roar. I’m so proud to be here, so proud to blog today, so I think the credit just goes to the Roar crowd, you were brilliant.
Roger said | June 20th 2009 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
Sanction Cahill because he refused to give the press respect after the game? You have got to be kidding. This is probably the most ridiculous thing I have read all week. Is this a joke article?
Sorry, but the press can’t have it both ways. You can’t smear someone’s name (true story or not) during the week, and then expect to be all ‘buddy buddy’ with them after the game. As I recall, most newspapers ran articles about the alleged incident, not just the Telegraph.
No, it wasn’t Mel’s fault specifically, but press is press, and I’m pretty sure Tim Cahill can chose whether or not he would like to be ‘pleasant’ with the press after the game.
Just who do the press think they are anyway?
jimbo said | June 20th 2009 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
If you want to voice your thoughts to the people who started all this controversy, why not contact the two guys who wrote those articles in the News Limited papers over the last week or two:
David Riccio – Deputy Sports Editor – Daily Telegraph
ricciod@newsltd.com.au
02 9288 3348
OR
Adam Mobbs – Sports Sub Editor – Daily Telegraph
mobbsa@sundaytelegraph.com.au
Ben of Phnom Penh said | June 20th 2009 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
as far as the controversy goes, “chk chk boom”
The Bear said | June 20th 2009 @ 2:54pm | Report comment
Ta, Jimbo.
The Answer said | June 20th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
For what is it is worth I thought Cahill was tremendous with Andrew Voss on Friday Night Footy.
Furthermore, I thought Voss sounded like he had more of an idea about football than McLaughlin ever has. As he least he didn’t try to pass himself of as a United fan.
Midfielder said | June 20th 2009 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
Fill the inboxes up …
The Answer said | June 20th 2009 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
No doubt, but honestly, everyone seems to be getting a bit heated about whether or not there was media coverage of their stars having a few too many drinks. Welcome to mainstream sport, sure it would never have been covered on SBS but that was ‘old soccer’.
Seems to me everyone has just blinded accepted the FFA spin, that absolutely nothing happened, they just had a few lemonades gave a donation to some sick kids and then left. Wake up.
Finally, the story also appeared in the Sun Herald and on the smh website so take a break from the News Ltd conspiracy theory, that dead horse that was being flogged clearly died from boredom.
Midfielder said | June 20th 2009 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
The Answer
Not so … what has everyone pissed is that the TerrOR have run a whole series of articles and most were using gutter stuff in the week the FFA launched the WC bid…
In particular the TC stories are from all evidence are nothing but a media massive beat up … and if reports are correct it was the TerrOR that phoned the police to come down…
Most in Football see this as and anti football agenda … for reasons that I have no idea … and the article about TC was at the extreme side … its like the editor has set the dogs on football and said boys just go for it…
These days we have emails and some support in the mainstream media… my guess is that the TerrOR reporters had no idea that Alan Jones & TC where friends …. that was their first mistake… second mistake if TRUE they phoned the police …. third mistake and the biggest TC has massive future potential earnings the court case will be in the ten’s of millions of dollars…
You may question us football folk about what you may see as an extreme reaction… I would ask you to place yourself in our shoes we cop heaps from the media all the time … and have done so for the last 60 years … we get a feel went it just goes to far and when we are in our world cup bid launch week…
viper1627 said | June 20th 2009 @ 7:42pm | Report comment
Tim Cahill is a player on the world stage , he is well known all over the world , the Daily Telegraph is just trying to divert attension away from the shocking state of rugby league in the country . They are the most biased paper around , and they are doing everything possible to hold back the momentum of the world game .
What we all should be worried about is if we will have the talent to compete in future world cups , with the FFA digging its heals in about u18s joining overseas academies , there is no development in place in this country at the moment that will keep us producing world class players of the likes of Cahill .
The Answer said | June 20th 2009 @ 8:53pm | Report comment
Midfielder,
So a story about a player getting on the drink and tossed out a bar in evidence of an anti-football agenda? If that is the case surely the Telegraph and Herald have enormous anti-league agendas.
Oh big scary Alan Jones, probably one of the few blokes with less creditibility and integrity than the rest of the tabloid media. And if Cahill is so aggrieved, let’s see him take them to court, sounds like more hollow rhetoric from the hysterical football fans.
Looks like a load of sabre rattling from the FFA and Lowy saying “you leave our boys alone” and plenty of foot soliders are keen to repeat the line. The Tele only mistake was treating cahill like a league player.
Constantly kicked in the guts? try following rugby league. Why not try reading the constant puff pieces in the Herald by Mike Cockerill.
Viper1627,
So a player on the world stage would never have a night out and get tossed from a bar?
Oh yeah it is all a diversion for rugby league. Seek help.
The Answer said | June 20th 2009 @ 8:55pm | Report comment
Sorry midfielder,
I forgot to mention, if the Telegraph has such a anti-football agenda, why not take it up with their editor of Football Fever, Tom Smithies, he is a lovely bloke, very football and I’m sure he’d love to hear your thoughts.
Also, seeing Sun Herald also ran the same story does Fairfax have the same agenda?
Midfielder said | June 20th 2009 @ 9:10pm | Report comment
The Answer
As I said I have no idea why but the TC article was one of a number that started on the day we played Bahrain and every day it got worst … I have no idea why … because before this News were being reasonably balanced with their coverage of football…
Also I have no idea why .. I actually don’t buy to help the NRL argument … and News in general were quite supportive in fact the Herald Sun has been glowing over the last two weeks or so.. So I see it as a TerrOr thing for whatever reason I have no idea … BUT Something happened at the Tele over the past two days.
It’s not online, but if you saw the Tele’s paper version today, you would have noticed yet another back-page piece on Cahill. But this time the article opposed almost everything the Tele had previously reported.
The piece gave a lot of precious space to Frank Lowy, who pointed out how ridiculous it was for media to beat up the Cahill incident. The Tele even reported Lowy making some unflattering comparisons with rugby league’s notorious recent problems (unflattering for league, that is). The article was almost entirely about Lowy’s point-of-view, and the Tele included a lengthy interview with Lowy spread across two-pages inside.http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25661302-5006068,00.html
So what happened? I’ve got two ideas:
1. Lowy finally decided he’d had enough, rang up the editor-in-chief Gary Linnell (or, more likely, Linnell’s boss), and told him to end it. A phone call like that would carry implicit financial threats, even if Lowy was as engaging and courteous as he always is. Linnell agreed the coverage had been problematic, and asked Lowy for an exclusive interview on the World Cup bid. The interview led to today’s fawning story about how wonderful Lowy is, which gave the Tele an opportunity to improve its relationship with the FFA.
2. Pretty much the same as the scenario above, but there’s a chance the Tele initiated the rapprochement, because of concerns about the public’s reaction to its stories and – especially – Sanitarium’s decision to drop advertising. We have no idea how many complaints the Tele received, except that it received far more complaints than the number of negative comments they published online. Perhaps the reaction was enough to convince the Tele it had erred and needed to seek amends.
But that Football got a whole bunch of negative articles one after the other is beyond question…and it was a TerrOR thing … but when advertisers pull advertising as a protest … it is more than just a Football Full Moon whinge… it’s starting to hit home…
keeper11 said | June 21st 2009 @ 12:00am | Report comment
..anyone spot the story hidden on page 11 of todays SMH:
to all the league apologists…
..in case you missed this today…
-not surprising as it was buried in page 11of SMH…
-assume those investitgative journos at the tele are onto it..NOT:
“Maroons carrying on like idiots”
“QLD state of origin players and officials have been accused of being ‘falling over’ drunk during a boozy bonding session on the central coast.
…members of the maroon camp allegedly urinated in the street after being moved on from the Crowne plaza hotel Terrigal”
“A witness told the Herald “they were ripping down promotional material from the roof. They also used offensive language …etc.”
Barry said | June 21st 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
This is directed to “The Answer” mate are you sure you dont work for the DT ? Are you Adam Mobbs in disguise?
“Oh big scary Alan Jones, probably one of the few blokes with less creditibility and integrity than the rest of the tabloid media. And if Cahill is so aggrieved, let’s see him take them to court, sounds like more hollow rhetoric from the hysterical football fans.”
Soudns very similar to what I have read in a few emails from the A Grade GOOSE Mobbs
Sounds a lot like your a DT journo trying to bring some “Credibility” to their arguments in this forum. Your writng style is very similar to Adam Mobbs or that other idiot David Riccio (if I spelt it wrong…who really cares).
Since the World Cup Bid, the anti football sentiment in a lot of stories has increased two fold and they are trying to descredit the campaign to bring the World Cup to Oz. Then the DT moved on to talking about PV’s tactis then the Dt came out with the bodgy story not based on fact on Tim. Football supporters have been accused of being paranoid in regards to anti football sentiments from the media iin the passed, but there are three clear examples of the media in this counrty trying to attack the code.
I dont think we are being paramoid when these stories keep on coming out.
Jesse Fink said | June 21st 2009 @ 11:59am | Report comment
Tom, this is the last I’m going to comment on your posts. They are really not worthy of a response, but I will anyway. One, you have no idea who I am so stop making presumptions (“You’d never make”, “It seems like”, “If you were to”, “You would never”, “You’d never differentiate”, “I doubt you would even”). You don’t know me or my work history or my values or my personal/working relationships. I’m happy for you to be a negative pest, but don’t ever speak for me.
Manfred the Milko said | June 21st 2009 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
Tom,
I have been reading your crap … you are one of those “cause for the day” imbeciles who like to ride on the coattails of the people you criticise.
I am not a Fink fan, and his obsession with his love child Nick Carle is sickening. I do though, respect his work, and his knowledge of the game.
He is a talented writer, and this has been recognised by the industry that continues to broaden his media presence.
I believe him to be an intelligent writer, and I have looked at the article of which you refer, and there is not a trace of sexism.
Go back and regroup with your friends from rent-a-whinger, and find another sport to peddle your outdated agendas within.
jimbo said | June 21st 2009 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
The article in the Sun Herald says the whole thing was made up by a security guard who doesn’t even work for the club and they don’t even know if he actually exists:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/cahill-allegations-made-up-by-guard-says-hotelier/2009/06/20/1244918242500.html
The police are involved and if anything needs to be reported why don’t they contact the police.
Seems all of the witnesses are happy to take News Limited’s money but not talk to the police, if they really exist, that is . . .
StiflersMom said | June 21st 2009 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
I’m sitting here trying desperately to read through the comments but I keep finding this battle about the gender of Melanie McLaughlin vs other broadcasters. Who gives a flying F–K. Tom get off your horse or Shetland Pony in your case. There are not too many female sports personalities covering the major codes and to see the likes of Melanie McLaughlin or Mariana Rudan showing the boys how its done is good.
But the article is about Tim’s attitude towards her or the press in general since the Telegraph rand their bullshit story and how that attitude is not helping he’s cause in maintaining a public face.
Lets stick to the topic and get off your semantic soap box, your being a turd.
Limpet #140 said | June 21st 2009 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
I actually agree with everything Tom said in his post which ended: “Take a good hard look at yourself.”
This article was, in passing, patronizing to women. If the female journalist is a biased hack, their looks are insulted (such as in Les Murray’s widely condemned blog article on a certain R Wilson), if they are competent, their looks are complimented, such as in this one – ‘Telegenic’: “Having a physical appearance deemed highly appealing to television viewers”. Those who have read several of Jesse Fink’s articles in the past would have noticed this undercurrent before in some of them, for instance, on TWG he described one of his dinner guests asking about his work as a “ruddy-faced woman, who was the size of a Daintree River croc and not nearly as attractive.”
A blogger recently commented that Jesse Fink’s bloggers are ’self styled’ which is interesting, and on reflection somewhat true in that some who read his often personal, highly opinionated, often critical and unrestrained articles respond in kind that way with their own comments.
It should come as no surprise to those who have read his comments before that while he dishes out personal criticism several times a week he is ill-equipped to handle it when he receives it in return in the form of comments on his blogs.
His personal attacks on National Team coaches, individual Socceroos players, media personalities and others are well documented.
He has decided, in two of his recent articles to personally attack Socceroo star Tim Cahill (despite claiming to leap to his defence), calling our greatest footballing asset a stupid, ‘ungrateful sod’, on his ’soapbox’ (in relation to the Australian media), who comes across ‘both as arrogant and self-regarding, and certainly undeserving of anyone’s compassion’, ‘behaving like a petulant six year old’ due to a ‘disgraceful display’ for which ‘Cahill must be called to account by the FFA’, or make a personal apology to his post-match interviewer.
The context of this latest story is interesting: The end of the world cup qualification campaign, a win at home, Cahill the two goal hero, and finally a start for what Manfred the Milko calls Jesse Fink’s ‘love child’, who had a rather insipid performance after years of over-hyped and unbalanced sensationalism.
The result is an effective continuation of the media’s deflection away from Cahill’s starring man of the match performance. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some personal sour grapes there for some reason best not delved into. The fact remains that in comparison with Tim Cahill, or even Brett Holman for that matter, what has Jesse Fink, as a keyboard warrior done for football? Apart from slagging off various football personalities from a distance? Yet rather than humility and restraint, he thinks Cahill owes the media a large debt for his success, rather than Cahill’s success resulting from his own hard work, application, and an incredible ability and skill as a footballer.
The ploy in using Mel as the ‘victim’ in this story is because the author is likely to obtain maximum sympathy and bring people onside in greater numbers if he portrays her as some sort of innocent damsel in distress. Would he be calling for sanctions or an apology to Robbie Slater if he had been the one pitch side waving a mic in Cahill’s face? I think we all know the answer to that one.
No, Jesse Fink certainly doesn’t need to be defended, he has sowed the seeds of personal criticism and he is receiving the same in return. What is the line from that Jack Johnson song? “We only receive what we demand…”
On this site, what is demanded is ‘your sports opinion’. What is given is opinion, and those opinions are not always ones we personally always agree with. Look elsewhere for objective analysis, or articles restrained by facts.
Robbos said | June 21st 2009 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
Yes Barrt, I like the one from the Answer about ‘Andrew Voss having more knowledge than McLaughlin on football’, lost me right there. How many A-League matches has Vossy seen? I know Mel is there most weeks.
The Answer said | June 21st 2009 @ 6:31pm | Report comment
Barry,
Peter fitzsimmons has also been outspoken on the World Cup bid? is he part of the conspiracy?
Is no one allowed to question the decision to bid?
However, i think it is pretty pointless to try and have a rational discussion. But good luck clipping the articles.
Robbos,
yes her attendance is tremendous, not sure I can say the same about analysis.
Tom said | June 21st 2009 @ 6:52pm | Report comment
Well Jesse, its up to you what you respond to, but I wasn’t abusive and I didn’t accuse you of anything worse than being patronising towards this journalist. And everything I wrote I explained. In return I got laughed at, called names and finally told my comments weren’t worth responding to.
So what’s the conclusion to draw from this? You only take on board the criticism that you like?
I’m sorry you thought I was putting words in your mouth. No I’ve never met you, but I have read a lot of your blogs, and I don’t recall you talking too much about the appearance of male sports journalists nor ask that they get a personal apology from rude athletes, so I don’t think I made any outrageous assumptions. You’ve had plenty of chances to cite examples to prove me wrong.
I’m not all that interested in your past, to be honest. I read your article, and I thought ‘gee thats really patronising’. And then I wrote a response explaining why, and I pointed out the bits that annoyed me. I’d have responded the same way no matter who wrote the article and where they used to work.
Manfred, I never said the article was sexist. I said it was patronising. I think there’s a difference. If you don’t, fine, but there’s no reason to call me an imbecile. I’m not sure in what sense I’m riding on Jesse’s coattails.
Stifler, I don’t even know what the hell you’re talking about. I’m not criticising Melanie McLaughlin or Mariana Rudan. More power to them I say. Hopefully there’ll come a day when they’re judged on their journalistic ability first and their appearance second. Thats something I do give a flying fox about.
StiflersMom said | June 21st 2009 @ 8:14pm | Report comment
Never said you were Tom, I was just pointing out your were way off topic, and I didn’t see the article as ‘really patronising’ and I would trust Jesse has a lot more intelligence and respect that what you may believe.
jimbo said | June 21st 2009 @ 9:18pm | Report comment
Peter Fitzsimons is all for the FIFA World Cup being played in Australia. He thinks it will be great for the country.
An eye witness has told the Roar that he has left his wife and he and Rebecca Wilson are getting married and have become Sydney FC members.
They love the round ball game and can’t get enough of it.
Unfortunately to protect the identity of the witness, the Roar cannot name him [or her].
jimbo said | June 21st 2009 @ 9:31pm | Report comment
. . . and I know why Peter and Rebecca are so in love with Sydney FC – 6 wins in a row in pre-season – 15 golas scored and none conceded . . . what a great record.
Sydney FC have also already broken their all time record for memberships and still 8 weeks to go to the start of the A-League season.
News limited should get their news hounds and private investigators to follow Johnie Aloisi around.
I heard a rumour that he parked in a Handicapped Parking Spot – will be back page news tomorrow.
Midfielder said | June 21st 2009 @ 10:07pm | Report comment
Jimbo
The choppers could be in for an interesting year … Papa Smurf (KB) & the other baby Smurfs may finally have something to cheer about .. that is until you come to Bluetounge and get whipped..
MVDave said | June 21st 2009 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
Sorry Mid but Sydenee will be flogged at TD first by the mighty MV…whatevers’ left over Mariners can chew on!! Let them beat up the minnows but when the men begin to play the boys could get….
BTW Jimbo…loved that Seifeld episode.
jimbo said | June 21st 2009 @ 11:28pm | Report comment
Sing after me:
My city of Sydney
I miss the warmth of you
Miss the heart of your people
That little church steeple in Woolloomooloo . . .
How sweet it will be to take revenge on you guys after denying us the divine right to win back the Golden Toilet Seat
Sails white polka dotting the white of the bay . . .
As they toss in their merry balloons . . .
My City of Sydney.
The Answer said | June 22nd 2009 @ 5:05am | Report comment
Keeper 11,
Police are now saying they believe that report may have come from a Blues fan looking to stir up trouble for qld.As they found no evidence of such sky larking.
Maybe all sports stars are just becoming targets. How sad.
Jimbo,
Aloisi would only be following the example of England captain John Terry, maybe his mum will also get done for shop lifting like JT.
Also, many league clubs are also breaking records with membership numbers, who is winning this war?
Robbos said | June 22nd 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
No agenda;
Cahill accused of being drunk and pushing with security staff, no witness names, no security names. Police attended after media called police, review video, no action taken. Front page news on the Sunday terror. ‘Socceroos shame soccer’ after being caught drunk celebrating qualifying for the greatest sporting event in the world. Still no evidence anything happen.
Australia qualified for WC that week & announced WC bid the same day, no other football story in the Sunday Terror.
Freddy Fittler, a Coach not a player, blind drunk, banging on the wrong door in the early hours of the morning half naked. Police had to escort him home, in the sports section of paper only of Sunday Terror, same journalist who wrote the Cahill story explains it’s understandable, ‘Freddy has been under alot of pressure’ coachining the bottom side in a very minor competition. Caught in the act, hard to deny.
Only Freddy’s team coming last, playing Nth Queensland the night before, only game to talk about, 12 pages of RL related articles in the Sunday Terror.
Very balanced journalism.
Robbos said | June 22nd 2009 @ 8:20am | Report comment
I think McLaughlin has more street cred than Vossy (i’m a Man U fan) when it comes to discussing football.
As for discussing RL, Vossy comes across as a boofhead. I much the comments coming out of Sterlo & Gus than Vossy or Fatty.
The Bear said | June 22nd 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
The main question is how do we respond, as lovers of Football, and “A Fair Go”?
Any sort of reaction is what they are counting on. An over-reaction?, then all the better.
It’s called “provocation”. And we’d all be stupid to let them drag us down to this level. They want us to get dirty…to smear our own code, with our own hands, in effect, even if it’s merely by association with these goons. It’s their strategy.
We could “react” with some angry emails, a viscous blog or cheeky tifo…but the DT NRL folks would probably like that. Publicity to their paper. IMO, what they need is to feel the pain of advertisers pulling their campaigns (Sanitarium already doing this in NSW) and general on-line neglect.
Let them stew in their own juices. Let them be seen for what they are, muck rakers.
Also, with Alan Jones last week, it was seen (heard?) that we have enough balance of power in the Sydney NRL heartland to counter the tripe that these “journalists” dish out.
All that said, however, they will now surely be on the war path trying to trip up our domestic players when the new HAL season kicks off in August. But that would mean their readers would get some sort of exposure to Football, and they would unwittingly end up following the League, imo.
Anyway, if they keep our domestic league boys and girls on their toes (sad but it’s a fact: this is a Tabloid, afterall) and perhaps help them get a little street smart, I think we can wear that.
Barry said | June 22nd 2009 @ 9:04am | Report comment
I still think a Cheeky TIFO is needed, just to make a point that we know what they are doing and that we support Tim Cahill. It does not have to be massive, it does not have to rude or nasty, but something must be said when the roos play at home again.
Your point about advertisres pulling their campaigns from the NRL is a good point, however we as meer mortals that do not have the capital to do this is the key. We do have Frank with his millions but its obvious that as times are tough, he is not going to throw money around. Plus advertisers even after all of behavious of the league players, still flock to them as the games are shown Free to air and get coverage week in and out. Until the A-League and or Socceroos are shown on FTA, then we may have a chance to take away their sponsors. I think the ultimate goal would be to go after the Sharks sponsors and get them involved in the A-League or the Socceroos.
I think the battle should start in the media with Football writers taking up the frontline! IMO there are not enough comments out there about the NRL from the Football media. The reason why is that its obvious, these guys can read and write (plus have morals) and the NRL press need a dictionary just to read a menu at McDonalds. But its NRL fruitcakes like Rothfield who do go after our game, so why doesn’t the football media do the same. Again it brings attention and bad publicity.
Rothfields comparison between Freddie and Cahill…..do we need to say more. Freddy under pressure gives him the right to have a few drinks even though that his players cannot…hmmm.
Maybe we should see if we can get a deal with a local butcher in Sydney and send Three Kilos of Tripe to the Axis of Simple (Rothfield, Wilson and Mobbs) to the DT each time they write an anti football story. Chuck a press release to the other papers and get a journo and a cameraman to follow them. Theatricall and over the top of course…but what a joke it would be. However would be great to see.
The Bear said | June 22nd 2009 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Barry, not withstanding the ethical low points many “journalists” and “editors” are now stooping to, the pain we Football fans (and lovers of Journalistic virtues) are enduring will be relatively shortlived once the sponsors start walking away from the real villians, in all this mess. When money talks, headlines walk. Gradually the stench around certain NRL writers and newspapers/tv stations will consume their very selves as business and the general public recognise the ruse. At which point the Socceroos will scoop them up, with their integrity intact. But, only if the Football fraternity maintain integrity. Similar to how the ARU and the Wallabies conduct themselves and offer a unique Point of Difference to their close cousins.
I appreciate the humorous sending of tripe, but the Terror will merely turn it into something far more… and before you know it ….Whammo, another “headline” about the “hooligan” element of “old sokka”…
Barry said | June 22nd 2009 @ 11:26am | Report comment
Bugger…was hoping the Tripe idea was a goer…hahahahahaa. Just joking.
Mr said | June 22nd 2009 @ 4:06pm | Report comment
So now the AFP have confirmed that the Tele led with a fake email on this Utegate saga on Saturday morning – the parallel with the hoax Cahill email is just too much not to ignore. That said, a reaction to News at Socceroos matches or A-League is not politically correct at this time. Bringing more fans (each current fan commits to bringing a new fan to each match) is the only way to show how much we disagree with their coverage. This is primarily a Sydney issue – 83k at the Netherlands match would be a good start.
The Bear said | June 22nd 2009 @ 4:31pm | Report comment
Mr… spot on.
btw..http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/06/22/we-cant-have-sports-stars-bypassing-the-media/
Jesse Fink said | June 22nd 2009 @ 6:53pm | Report comment
You would agree with Tom, Slippery Jim, because you are deadset dropkick.
Funny you are offended by the description of the woman in the Brisbane restaurant because my girlfriend at the time, who was there, thought it was bang on the money.
You really need to get out more, SJ, and stop following my career with the weird relish of John Malkovich following Clint Eastwood in “In the Line of Fire”. It’s unhealthy.
If you don’t think physical appearance is part of the reason why presenters such as Lee Furlong and Mel McLaughlin are hired at Fox you need your head examined. It’s part of the deal. It’s a fact and that’s that.
And, on my Bible, I’ve never read a bigger load of tripe in my life than “the ploy in using Mel as the ‘victim’ in this story is because the author is likely to obtain maximum sympathy and bring people onside in greater numbers if he portrays her as some sort of innocent damsel in distress. Would he be calling for sanctions or an apology to Robbie Slater if he had been the one pitch side waving a mic in Cahill’s face? I think we all know the answer to that one.”
It wouldn’t have mattered if it was Mel McLaughlin or Robbie Slater or Simon Hill or Santa Claus, Cahill acted like a child. He was disrespectful. The gender of the reporter is and is not and has never been an issue. But the fact that it happened to be a woman and I dared to describe her “telegenic” and “bright” and “pleasant” seems to have convinced you and your new pal Tom that there is some sort of sly patronising-cum-sexist element to the column.
You couldn’t be more wrong. But I don’t have to explain myself to you and frankly I’ve wasted so much of my life answering your inane posts that I really need to start desisting forthwith.
sledgeross said | June 23rd 2009 @ 8:11am | Report comment
Thats true Jesse, I doubt Mel is picked because of her personality (or lack thereof).
Shes picked because she is decent looking and knows a bit about sport. I find her cringeworthy when it comes to those sideline interviews. Still, she is good as a newsreader though.
Slippery, please stop flirting with Jesse. Look, Im an advocate of the whole “treat em mean, keep em keen” philosophy, but its getting a bit mundane now. I havent seen this much latent homosexual tension since “Top Gun”. Besides, Jesse only has enough room for one man in his life, and he aint slippery. He is elusive, tanned, and plays for Palace
Limpet #162 said | June 23rd 2009 @ 9:42am | Report comment
I remember once a team I played on had an extremely fast, extremely talented forward who also happened to be black. Once when he missed a shot at goal an opposition player commented “that’s what you get for being black”. I was livid about this racist attitude, and despite my protests nothing was done about it. After the match his fellow players incredibly tried to assure me with wide eyed sincerity that he ‘wasn’t a racist.’
The point is the action makes it so, regardless of how your friends view you or how you prefer to view yourself, whether it is racism, misogyny or any other unsavoury attitude.
These attitudes go on to influence and encourage others, as shown by sledgeross’ comment about Mel’s personality.
And you are only further underlining the exact points Tom has made by your insults, Jesse.
Calling one of your long time readers a “deadset dropkick” is unacceptable, but sadly not a terribly surprising reaction from you considering your personality and what you have hurled my way in the past. I’m not even going to report this comment as I want it to remain a testament to the kind of chap you really are.
It’s your blog and you are welcome to it. I hope your writing career continues to blossom and grow so that when you attain a level of success and self esteem you can feel less challenged by those who express opinions that differ to your own.
sledgeross said | June 23rd 2009 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
So, because I find a television reporter’s onscreen demeanour limp, insipid and boring makes me akin to being racist. Because I comment that I dont think a person’s onscreen presence to be all that inspiring, Im misogynist? I think she is very poor when it comes to interviewing, especially after a match, big deal. I also stated she was good as a newsreader, didnt I? I do not know her as a person, I am only giving an opinion of the onscreen personality.
I actually very rarely agree with Mr Fink, and cannot say that I am “influenced or encouraged” by his opinions. I have my opinions that I have developed all by myself. FOr the record, I also think Rove McManus is crap as well. He is the most over-rated “talent” in Australian television history. If that makes me biased against short Victorians, then so be it. You can find a bogey-man under any bed I guess.
Im sorry Limpet, but you are a hypocrite of the worst order. As you point out, this is a place where opinions should be allowed to be expressed and discussed. Hysterical and puritanical people such as yourself satisfy their bigoted views of reality cocooned in the comfort they they have the moral highground. If I think a person has a bad voice and seems to be lacking confidence in their ability, and it shows, then, by virtue of the fact they are on television, I should have a right to an opinion on their abilities. Just like Fink has a blog andf you can comment on his writing skills I guess…..
Barry said | June 23rd 2009 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
I thought the midget was from Western Australia?
sledgeross said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
I stand corrected then Baz, but Im sure you get my point!
Limpet #164 said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
Sledgeross, there is no need to feign outrage or invent imagined insults. I did not in any way shape or form call either yourself or Jesse racist or misogynistic. I was trying to explain a concept.
The fact is, if Jesse had not commented, neither would you have. Therefore you are influenced by and react to what he writes. Simple logic.
You can call me a hypocrite all you like, but surely even you can see the irony when someone writes an article demanding a contrite apology from a Socceroo because “Cahill acted like a child. He was disrespectful” – when all Cahill did was the blogging equivalent of an off-topic response – and then the same writer feels entitled to call someone a “deadset dropkick” on a public forum.
What’s that word again? Hypocrite? If the shoe fits…
Jesse Fink said | June 23rd 2009 @ 5:34pm | Report comment
Who are you going to report me to, Slippery Jim? The principal? Your mum?
You get respect when you earn it. All you have done ever since you came on this site is use every available opportunity to complain and find fault. On this blog you came out and called me patronising to women, said there was a sexist undercurrent in my writing and possessed a supposed agenda against Tim Cahill. And you ask for respect?
You, sir, are not only a dropkick but a gutless one. It’s easy to come on here under various pseudonyms and spray anyone you like, whether it’s me or Mike Tuckerman or whoever, protected by your anonymity. I’m sorry you don’t have a forum for your bile where someone pays you to write pieces under your own name, but when you do be sure to let us all know.
Phutbol said | June 23rd 2009 @ 6:08pm | Report comment
Fox Sports website carried the Daily Telegraph beat up on its Football web site too! Surely thats something F.S could control and maybe its why Tim didnt want to speak to Mel. Seems reasonable to me….
I havent read all the comments so if somebody has already stated this – sorry.
Ben of Phnom Penh said | June 23rd 2009 @ 6:19pm | Report comment
Meanwhile back at the topic…..
So is this a precursor for things to come? Why is football being seen as a credible threat to Rugby League yet the same type of articles are not being written with as much regularity by pundits which support Union or AFL? Surely football is as much a threat to their support base as it is to League. Hence are these articles about football at all or are they an attempt to deflect the heat that League is currently feeling? Perhaps this is why Cahill is feeling particularly aggrieved, he is being used rather than reported upon. This to a guy whose family play league and some of whom play professionally.
Chances are that footballers, and media pundits alike, are going to have to be on their toes as in Europe they have media out looking for gossip whereas here there is media out to tarnish the entire code.
Barry said | June 23rd 2009 @ 9:13pm | Report comment
Ben, if you said that to a DT reporter; one who thinks he is a football writer (even though he started in Canberra writing about League). He would say that you are paranoid football holligan.
The things is, I agree with you 100%
The question is, why is it that News Ltd papers want to discredit a code when at the same time they (News Ltd) own Foxsports which Televises the same code? That to me makes no sense at all?
I honestly think that the NRL is very worried about the growth of Football and when it does eventually hit Free to Air, this I think will be the turning point in how the game is reported on in Auatralia. When the new deal does come up for the A-League and the Socceroos, the Socceroos will be back on the Anti Siphoning list thus there is no stopping FTA viewing of all socceroos games.
This is my “paranoid Opinion” here. I think that there will be more stories like the DT’s on Cahill will come out as a way for the NRL to say to adverstisers if you are thinking of leaving the code by giving them examples of Footballers behaving like NRL players. Their argument would be “why give them your dollar when they are excatly like us?”
I have read all of the comments on this post as well as the ones in 442 and TWG and a lot of them agree that there is a clear Anti Football media. We have always known that. However the question I propose is this, we all know its about money and sponsorship for the NRL, but why do they want to discredit our game. Think about it…
Wouldnt it make more sense to give equal access to all codes allowing the DT to attract a wider variety of sponsors to their paper? That to me is a pretty simplistic argument of a way to make more money? Rather then saying, your sport is anti our way of making money so we intend to discredit it in all means. In ohter countries around the world, the USA the UK have a number of different sports that compete for space in their papers but you do not see this my sport is better then your sport bullshit?! It makes no sense to me at all.
I still think that in this country there is room for all codes. I watch league, I like the cricket as well. But for me Football is my life. However I still think that there is plenty of room for all codes and it is muck raking fools like Mobbs, Wilson and Rothfield want to discredit the code for some crazy reason?
Is it me, or is that just plain simple?
Barry said | June 23rd 2009 @ 9:15pm | Report comment
in that argument…i meant Advertisers and not sponsors….
jimbo said | June 23rd 2009 @ 11:30pm | Report comment
Tim Cahill admitted on SBS news tonight that there were cracks in the Socceroos team – some big egos bumping into each other and the dressing room not big enough for all of them.
The email was genuine but it was from the players agent and not the player, someone who hates Tim’s guts.
The full interview to be screened on SBS World Game on Sunday arvo.
Glen said | June 23rd 2009 @ 11:30pm | Report comment
Cahill had an opportunity to establish a huge point of difference with the other football codes in terms of professional (including media) behaviour but chose to take a selfish, childish, churlish attitude that made him appear as oafish and petulant as many of his counterparts in the other football codes have made an art-form of.
Get over yourself ya wanker… you just play footy.
BTW, Anyone who has worked at News knows that the inter-code rivalry is FIERCE amongst the sports journos. This nonsense that News has an anti-football bias is just that, nonsense. There is no favouritism to any code on the sports desk. The editors just acknowledge that NRL sells papers in QLD and NSW and AFL sells papers in Victoria. Simple business and pure fact!
sledgeross said | June 24th 2009 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
Barry, you do come across as a touch paranoid. Yes, some of the reporters do not like football, but to suggest its a conspiracy because rygby league is afraid is a stretch. Its the DT that has hammered league players the most, especially if they are unfashionable!
Big names make for big stories that seel papers, and get hits on websites.
Barry said | June 24th 2009 @ 3:14pm | Report comment
Sledge, may I bring your attention to a lot of people in here who think the same way in the sense that News Ptd do have an agenda (there is a difference between conspiracy and Agenda) and it was outlined by Rothfield in his interveiw with the TWG site. In summary he outlines that Football will get the same coverage if there is enough money in it for them. Where is the ethiocs in that…thus in theory if we get the right amount of money, we will cover the code properly then? Doesnt that sound to you like there is an agenda there? He has admitted that his agenda for football is based on how much money he will get. As he is not getting as much as say the NRL, then he will not cover the sport in the right way? Hmm…thahts not a conspiracy there thats his words.
The only time he will do justice to the code is when the World Cup is on and I quote here “Obviously the space we will throw at it will be determined by advertising support.”
Members of the jury, I rest my case.
Lazza said | June 24th 2009 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
Glen,
If Football doesn’t sell papers then they should just ignore it? Why would Rugby League journalists who know nothing about the game be writing Football articles? Don’t they have any Football journalists?
sledgeross said | June 24th 2009 @ 3:30pm | Report comment
Baz, its called business mate. Football has been a laughing stock in Australia for so long that credibility wont be established overnight. For so long it was run by people with self serving interests that mainstream Australia had very little time for it.
What about the netballers, hockey players, basketballers etc who also deserve recognition?
So, Australia unveils a mediocre club competition, and exceeds expectations at a World Cup which captures the imagination of the public, and the world should stop turning? Fair dinkum mate, football is owed nothing in this country. If we were living in fairyland like some people do on here, then yes, our personal preference for favourite sport would get all the coverage, but its about what people are interested in, and people only really care about how we go in the World Cup.
Youre clutching at straws mate, talking about ethics. Is this a sports blog or a philosophy class. If people were interested, they would write about it, cos it would sell papers. Rothfield didnt say anything that would shock an even moderately intelligent person who understands reality.
sledgeross said | June 24th 2009 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Lazza, I dont think they ignore it to the extent some people here think. But I definately concur they could improve coverage. The problem is that most people who would read about football would probably care more about overseas competitions than the A League.
I agree also that journos who specialise in league or afl shouldnt really write opinion pieces about football. However, at the end of the day, journos should be skilled enough to report on any sporting event. The problem lies with essentially “opinion piece” journalist start writing match reports.
Barry said | June 24th 2009 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
Sledge, I do like what you said in your post to lazza in re to the problem of reporters producing opinion piece reports. Agree 100% However in regards to my post, you are missing my main point, I am quoting myself here.
“Wouldnt it make more sense to give equal access to all codes allowing the DT to attract a wider variety of sponsors to their paper? That to me is a pretty simplistic argument of a way to make more money? Rather then saying, your sport is anti our way of making money so we intend to discredit it in all means. In other countries around the world, the USA the UK have a number of different sports that compete for space in their papers but you do not see this “my sport is better then your sport bullshit!”. It makes no sense to me at all.”
My point is this, why does the DT just concentrate on one code and not give the same coverage to all and discredit them? In regards to ethics, it was Rothfield who talks about the ethics of covering sport. Thats my point champion, all sports should be covered and all sports should get a fair go. If other countries papers can do it and still make money, why cant the DT and other papers do the same. I guess being a grubby Tabloid is the answer. Its better to get a smutty story which sells rather then a story about how well the code is doing. The sad thing is, is this what we want form our media. Do we want smutty articles over quality reporting?
We all have a vested interest in our code and only want the best for our code. But it does get back to his mantra “if your code gets us more advertising, we will give you more coverage.” The reality is, if Rothfield had a spec of moralty in him, he would just come out and say we will not cover Football as it gives us no money. Just be honest about it and stop the Bullshit attacks on our code. He also said that its the World Cup when we give it serious coverage. To me if I was in the FFA and was the media person, id be telling the DT to get stuffed at all press conference or give questions to other media outlets and get the players to distance themselves from Mobbs, Wilson Rtohfield if they turn up at the press conferences. When the World Cup does come around, I hope the Sydney market boycott the paper and get thier fix from other sources for the four weeks.
Jess, what are your thoughts on this issue. Should Sports Journos give fair go to one code or all of them?
My opinion is that this is not a philosphcial comment, its suppose to be a thing that journos get into the business for…to try to tell the real story. The thing is, if journos really did have ethics, stories like the cahill one would never have come out as it was such non so called “incident” whic was the headline story in the DT for multiple days. To me the only reason why it was covered was to try to a) make Money as they are a tabloid paper and like to sensationalise every story and B) blanket all sports people with the same brush as NRL players to try to justify that what the NRL players do is normal.
I also have to disagree with another of your points, I would not call the A-League a mediocre league. For Adelaide to get to the final of the Asian Champions Leguae proves that for a league with one of the smallest budgets in all of Asia, we are doing pretty well in development in such a short period of time. Lets hope the Jets do Pohang tonight.
sledgeross said | June 25th 2009 @ 8:02am | Report comment
I take your points Baz, and thanks for responding mate.
I do think its naive to expect the DT to display ethics, Murdoch Media is most certainly “tabloid”. I would point to our small population as to why the market is so fierce, which is why they cater to the populace I guess. I concede it could also be a case of telling the people what they should be interested in as well. The Socceroos dont get too bad a coverage though, but they are a marketable brand.
And I take it your last post was written before the Jets ACL match mate
Look, Australia does develop some decent players, but the same can be said of pretty much all competitive sports. Its our culture, being a small country, to be fierce on the field. It has in some ways forged our identity. I would expect every Aussie team to go out and give an account of themselves. Adelaide did fantastically well, and it was a fine advertisement to what we can do. Sydney played some good football in teh ACL under Culina. But the A League is a mediocre league generally. Im not saying its bad, or that it cant be entertaining, but its just not that great.
Barry said | June 25th 2009 @ 8:47am | Report comment
The Jets….were terrible. I know they had 2 defenders missing but to loose by that much. They are a marketable brand agree 100% and the coverage from different outlets is gettign better.
I dont think Jesse’s love child Carle would have helped them out last night.
Chris Riediger said | June 25th 2009 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Your observations about Fox/PMG, News Limited and the Telegraph resonate with me from a Rugby League perspective. We’ve got the Sunday Telegraph cannibalising Rugby League despite News Limited half owning the game, half owning the TV rights holder in PMG and quarter owning the Pay TV provider in Foxtel.
sledgeross said | June 25th 2009 @ 11:30am | Report comment
Thats right Chris, maybe when the tv rights are renegotiated it will mean no increase in pay for the NRL clubs.
Mike said | June 26th 2009 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Not sure that I understand how you could describe Cahill’s response as petulant. A member of a business group that had already lied about him wanted a comment. I think he did well to give as much as he did.
Dave said | June 28th 2009 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
Mike
He was interviewed by a Foxtel reporter. Foxtel is a joint venture between
Telstra (50%), News Corporation (25%) and Consolidated Media Holdings (25%)