Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

[Doc26]

Before Andrew Rule's article on Brendan Fevola in today's Herald Sun is sent to the trash bin I feel compelled to vent my anger and disgust, in a dedicated thread, at this supposed journalist for taking such a cheap shot at one of our legends, the late and great Ted (EJ) Whitten.

The cheap shot at EJ lies embedded in a couple of paragraphs on page 22 of Saturday's Herald Sun where Rule elects to assassinate EJ's character in some lame attempt to compare EJ to Brendan Fevola's situation.

My apologies for posting Rule's diatribe but feel it is appropriate to quote it below so that collectively we can express our anger and disappointment at Rule and the Herald Sun to allow such defamation directed at the great EJ to go to print. It's especially cheap by Rule because EJ of course is unable to defend himself to such accusations and is left to the Whitten family to wear and put up with the crap and innunedo that Rule most unfairly has put to paper. Shame on you Andrew Rule

Here it goes:

Then there's Mr Football himself, the late Ted Whitten.

Football purists might hate comparing Fev with the great man. They should think again.

Ted was from the old working-class heartland of Footscray; Fev from the new working-class heartland, Narre Warren.

For both, football was a lifeline, though Fevola might still end up broke despite earning millions since being drafted by Carlton in 1998. (The punt will do that, as Demon gamblers David Schwarz and Daniel Ward have admitted after running up ruinous debts over their playing careers.)

Whitten once admitted that without football he would have been a factory hand. Good fortune didn't make him any kinder: he once smashed a 17-year-old Richmond rover's jaw, snarling "You're playing against men now" before the boy went to hospital.

Like Whitten, Fevola didn't give up nuclear physics to play footy, but at least he's not one to smash players half his size.

Like Whitten, he is a "lair", but his private life, despite the fling with Lara Bingle and his marriage split, is almost conventional compared with Whitten's bizarre domestic arrangements.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

I was not angered by this, but rather confused.

What were EJ's 'bizarre domestic arrangements'?

Since when is Narre Warren 'working class heartland'?

And who in God's name is Andrew Rule?

[AndrewP6]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

Has a dig at Bazza too.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

Just had a look at the article on line - this bloke (whoever he is?) is having a dig at anyone and everyone. Trashy writing as far as I am concerned. Why publish veiled cheap shots about EJ - IMO this is the problem with the media these days - its all about sensationalism, forget about fact, truth... Maybe there was truth in what he says, but I don't get these comparisons. If you feel the need to write about Fev, just write about him! These types of articles make me remember why I don't read much stuff in this newspaper!

[always right]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

Andrew Rule used to write for The Age specializing in Melbourne's underworld. He's an award winning journo and whilst I think his comments about EJ are out of line due the fact he can't respond, there is nothing wrong with the article. He simply makes the point that no matter how big a goose Fev is, he is judged more harshly than others from the past who have been guilty of much more serious misdemeanors. Hw lives in a different era where you can't avoid the scrutiny.

[KT31]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

Andrew Rule used to write for The Age specializing in Melbourne's underworld. He's an award winning journo and whilst I think his comments about EJ are out of line due the fact he can't respond, there is nothing wrong with the article. He simply makes the point that no matter how big a goose Fev is, he is judged more harshly than others from the past who have been guilty of much more serious misdemeanors. Hw lives in a different era where you can't avoid the scrutiny.

He was trying to make a headline and be sensational.
Why even mention EJ, he could have written it as "past players".
IMO he thinks mentioning EJ will give his article more credability, when in fact it has just exposed him as a hack.
If the underworld is his forte maybe he should have mentioned a Blue's player.

[Doc26]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

He simply makes the point that no matter how big a goose Fev is, he is judged more harshly than others from the past who have been guilty of much more serious misdemeanors. Hw lives in a different era where you can't avoid the scrutiny.

This is simply rubbish. He went much further than 'simply' making such a point. Why for example muckrake with the comment on EJ's 'bizarre domestic arrangements' when this is not in the public domain and as with AndrewPJ's point above leaves people 'confused' and asking questions ? It's gutter journalism at it's finest.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

Andrew Rule used to write for The Age specializing in Melbourne's underworld. He's an award winning journo and whilst I think his comments about EJ are out of line due the fact he can't respond, there is nothing wrong with the article. He simply makes the point that no matter how big a goose Fev is, he is judged more harshly than others from the past who have been guilty of much more serious misdemeanors. Hw lives in a different era where you can't avoid the scrutiny.

You must be kidding Always Right.The reference to EJ's personal life shows a total respect to the Whitten family. I would recommend you go back to reading the left wing diatribe in The Age and take Andrew Rule with you where he belongs.

[always right]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

This is simply rubbish. He went much further than 'simply' making such a point. Why for example muckrake with the comment on EJ's 'bizarre domestic arrangements' when this is not in the public domain and as with AndrewPJ's point above leaves people 'confused' and asking questions ? It's gutter journalism at it's finest.

If the comment about his domestic arrangements was taken out, is there anything else you object to?

[azabob]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

You must be kidding Always Right.The reference to EJ's personal life shows a total respect to the Whitten family. I would recommend you go back to reading the left wing diatribe in The Age and take Andrew Rule with you where he belongs.

Funny post, makes no sense, but funny none the less.

[always right]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

You must be kidding Always Right.The reference to EJ's personal life shows a total respect to the Whitten family. I would recommend you go back to reading the left wing diatribe in The Age and take Andrew Rule with you where he belongs.

Believe me....I have no wish to be considered a reader of The Age.

[Doc26]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

If the comment about his domestic arrangements was taken out, is there anything else you object to?

That in itself is cheap enough but if you must have another point I object to then yes, absolutely.

I object to Rule's inference to EJ's poor character even cowardice with his quote,
"but at least he's (Fevola) not one to smash players half his size", after referring to an incident with EJ and a 17 year Richmond rover.

I'll say it again, it's gutter journalism whether Rule's an award winning journalist or not.

[always right]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

That in itself is cheap enough but if you must have another point I object to then yes, absolutely.

I object to Rule's inference to EJ's poor character even cowardice with his quote,
"but at least he's (Fevola) not one to smash players half his size", after referring to an incident with EJ and a 17 year Richmond rover.

I'll say it again, it's gutter journalism whether Rule's an award winning journalist or not.

I agree that the article really didn't need reference to EJ to make his point...a point that I think was valid.

My explanation as to who Andrew Rule is, was in reponse to another poster's question...who is Andrew Rule?

[KT31]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

I agree that the article really didn't need reference to EJ to make his point...a point that I think was valid.

My explanation as to who Andrew Rule is, was in reponse to another poster's question...who is Andrew Rule?

Have you considered a name change to 'Never' ?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Andrew Rule's Cheap Shot On EJ

Andrew Rule is the co-auther of Underbelly

http://bookedout.com.au/static/files/assets/36956a3e/andrew_rule_large.jpg

Apparently he is a respected journalist but this has really hit a nerve !!

No one, No one ever should say things like that or even insinuate things like that about EJ

What a great windy bag of rancid Rhino faeces !!!!!!!!!!!!

On behalf of EJ and his family , I officially put a Scottish curse upon his head

" May the person so named Andrew Rule be forever cursed to never finding shoes that fit "

.