Adelaide Football Club Recruiting Manager Matthew Rendell today resigned, effective immediately.

Rendell stood down in response to media reports and comments made in a recent discussion with AFL Community Engagement Manager, Jason Mifsud.

While Rendell disputes the interpretation and context of the reports of the meeting with Mifsud, he is aware that to continue in the role would be to attach those comments to the Club.

Rendell said in a statement:

“I believe the comments in a meeting with Jason were taken out of context.

"They were misunderstood. I have a strong track record of recruiting Aboriginal players.

"My comments were about where recruiting could finish up without proactive work. I was trying to help.

“However, knowing the implication of such reports, I’ve decided to stand down.
“To stay would attach those comments to the Club, which is not the case either.”

Adelaide Football Club Chief Executive Officer Steven Trigg said: “I’ve spoken to Jason Mifsud and Matthew at length. To have any such commentary associated with our Club in any way is untenable.

“Our Club has a strong and proud history of recruiting, fostering and developing Aboriginal players, and it fully intends to keep doing so in the future.

“There has never been a discussion in any forum at the Club suggesting changes with respect to that continuing philosophy of selecting and nurturing young Aboriginal talent.”