I don't have a sense of humour - re: The West and the NRL.

[Kurt Angle]

In case anyone has read the feedback of Inside Cover today in the West Australian (22 June 2010)

First time I've ever written an email to a paper. It's my fault however, I don't have a sense of humour....

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From: aaron.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.com.au [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, 22 June 2010 2:02 PM
To: Inside Cover
Subject: NRL and Feedback


I would like to comment further on your 'balanced piece' on inside cover
today (22 June 2010).

Firstly in regards to the comparative behaviour of the players from the
National Rugby League (NRL) and the Victorian Boganball League (AFL).

Any student of journalism knows that perceptions are skewed greatly by the
media treatment of subject matter. Randolph Hearst even commented that
depending on his editorial treatment that he could create the public
perception of a society wide Crime-Wave or a Crime-Free Utopia even if the
crime statistics were identical. This point is proven as recently as today
with the difference in reporting standards between the Matthew Johns
consenual group sex case, and the Stephen Milne sexual assault
investigation where a former police officer has made allegations regarding
the interference of the investigation. One is much more horrendous than
ther other, yet it is the lesser case that had greater media scrutiny.

Lastly, would you care to wager regarding your statement on NRL popularity
in Perth, John Ryan being 'one of three fans' ?

An NRL game will be played this weekend between the South Sydney Rabbitohs
and the Melbourne Storm in Perth at Members Equity stadium.

If 3 or less attend, I shall give you $10,000.

If greater than three attend, you or your organisation can give me $10,000.

Is this a fair wager in your eyes?



Aaron Xxxxxxx

---

This was the feedback I got....

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Inside Cover <[email protected]>
22/06/2010 03:26 PM
To
"'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>
cc
Michael Hopkin <[email protected]>
Subject
RE: NRL and Feedback



Aaron

There's something you need much more than $10,000 -- a sense of humour!

Mate, it's all a bit of a laugh.

Thanks for reading.

Rob Broadfield

---

As I said, my fault.....

I did draft a response....

"Thanks Rob.

I was previously of the mind that the cover-up of the alleged rape of a woman was serious stuff. But with my new found sense of humour, it is all a laughing matter.

Life moving forward seems so much brighter.

p.s. Do you have a sister, daughter or other female family member who can come visit me at my football club this weekend for a few laughs? It'd be much appreciated."


Though being from my work email I changed my mind.

 

[Perth Red]

ggod work, keep the barstewards honest! I read it and thought little of it as it was from an AFL fan so can expect little more. Given some of the cover ups etc in their game it makes me laugh to see them taking the high ground on moral outrage at RL players antics!

 

[Perth Red]

you inspired me!

Mate I appreciate your an AFL fan and ignorance comes with the beanie but seriously if you don;t think there are any RL fans in WA I suggest you get yourself along to ME Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

ps taking the moral high ground on the behaviour of RL players is laughable when you consider recent events involving AFL players.

WA Reds will be back in 2013 hopefully, it would be nice to see The West supporting the bid.

regards

 

[gallagher]

AFL 'reporters' with their xenophobic -like attitudes. Their just getting abit nervous that the sport that actually rates aswell as or better than their games is coming back to town. A bit of competiton has their knees knicking.
Some bloke named Jarman wrote a ridiculous column in the Sunday Times a few weeks ago too.
Its pretty embarassing for them to comment on sports they know nothing about.

 

[Nicolas Hart]

Gee.

This is fresh coming from me, but .. you guys need to lighten up??

I, too, get defensive when unfairly critiqued (such as this man claiming Rugby League has minimal fans); though the reality is, journalists across the board are highly biased towards their personal beliefs. This is not exclusive to sport, so I can't see why this (of all newspaper reports) has invoked the biggest response.

If anything, this reporter is hardly answerable to us - if he is an AFL supremest our responses will only humour him.

 

[Perth Red]

wouldn;t say I was particlularly offended by his comments but was an opportunity to challenge a perception and also make comment about the West getting behind the bid. So far they have largely ignored the notion of an NRL team in Perth and it is good to nudge them and get them behind us like they did the Force's bid.

 

[otori]

It is amusing how AFL journos think that their sport is so much cleaner than league. If I might make a suggestion, when writing in to a journo you should try and reference the AJA Code of Ethics and discuss the clause regarding bias and preferrential treatment to certain groups or creeds. It'll get their hackles up in my experience working with the grubby bastards.