AFL news: Nicky Winmar’s stand against racism remains an inspiration to modern stars

It was racism in the outer that led to Nicky Winmar’s stand. 30 years on, it is a new battleground – social media – that Indigenous stars are fighting on but Winmar remains an inspiration.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 01: Nicky Winmar poses for a photograph during the round three AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 01, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Six weeks after Nicky Winmar’s demand for the next generation to take up the fight against racism Izak Rankine spent a weekend in his own thoughts.

The brilliant Adelaide forward had been racially abused on social media over the weekend like so many Indigenous players before him.

But as Rankine knew, the keyboard warrior would disappear with the account deleted before anyone tracked him down.

With Gather Round approaching, making public that racism would only subject him to a week of intense scrutiny leading into Adelaide’s biggest game in many seasons.

Izak Rankine faced racist social media abuse recently. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Yet as Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers said this week, he also knew what he had to do.

“He sat on it and then he came to the club and said: “This is what I want to do: He knew there would be some media attention around it, and he is more shy than people think. But he knew it was the right call.”

On Sunday Winmar’s famous pride salute will be commemorated before the St Kilda v Collingwood clash even as the brilliant ex-Saint despairs at the lack of progress made in the fight against racism.

It is dispiriting for the next generation of Indigenous players as the battleground against racism turns from the field and the crowds to social media where some post remarks specifically for the purpose of getting attention.

But as Rankine and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan have shown with their actions these past weeks – the Western Bulldogs star reprising Winmar’s salute 30 years on – the former Saint’s actions continue to inspire and instruct the current group of Indigenous players.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s stand inspired by Nicky Winmar. Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Nicky Winmar’s iconic stand. Picture: John Feder

As he prepares to fly to Adelaide on Sunday Winmar said Ugle-Hagan’s celebration was proof the next generation was courageous enough to take up the fight.

“I saw it on my phone when I looked up the AFL page and when I saw it I said, “Wow, Winmar told NewsCorp.

“It was good. I was really excited and glad he responded in that way with those five goals.

“I am just proud to be part of this game and it’s in Adelaide but no matter where it is I am happy to be part of it.”

Three decades on, none of it has been smooth sailing for Winmar or the next batch of Indigenous stars.

For Winmar, who lifted his jumper to exclaim that he was black and proud after ferocious racist sledging on that 1993 Victoria Park afternoon, every reliving of the day is a reminder of the racism.

For this weekend at least, he realises the power of his words and deeds.

“I am happy to talk about it, to be the head of that. I am just rapt to be there so I can see how the next generation comes through.”

Winmar’s memories of that day might be bittersweet.

But he found a way to recognise the moment in his own way when he gathered with nearly every one of his teammates from that Round 4 1993 encounter earlier this year.

“It has quite rightly taken him some time to work through that,” says St Kilda chief executive Simon Lethlean.

Tony Lockett and Nicky Winmar during St Kilda’s 150 year celebrations. Picture: Michael Klein

“He had a catch-up with his teammates at Moorabbin and it was just a private function with the players. Myself and (welfare manager) Tony Brown popped down. He just wanted to host his teammates and reflect on the game and just share the moment again.

“They all had their photo taken and did a piece of art work with Nicky (involving their hand prints) and they just shared the moment.

“It was what Nicky was comfortable with and then Sunday will take place and there is a cultural healing ceremony on Tuesday supported by Nathan Lovett-Murray that a few of us will get along to.

“I don’t think any of us that haven’t walked in his shoes can understand what burdens he has carried from his football career and life in general. He has been open about it with those close to him, but there have definitely been some impacts from his footy career, both positive and negative.

“It is important to listen to what he has to say and the most important part of it is educating clubs, players and fans about what we can do to educate people about racism.”

St Kilda Past Players president Sean Ralphsmith played in that famous contest and admits few of Winmar’s teammates had any idea of the significance of his action until Wayne Ludbey’s famous photo was published the next morning.

Nicky Winmar with artwork featuring handprints of the 1993 St Kilda side Photo: Lis Johnston

“It does make you proud. It also makes you realise we didn’t know it had happened until the next day. I try to watch that footage when we all go into the rooms. ‘Ludders’ has just taken that photo. We didn’t see it. I read about it in the paper,” Ralphsmith said.

“What we are doing (in the past players group) is get together to get back as friends but also help them in life after footy. There is plenty of that to come with players who are in trouble. We do a fair bit of that. Nick can probably fall into both camps. He feels comfortable being there (at the club) which is the main thing.”

Winmar’s life post-football has been challenging as he tries to seek purpose, with the 57-year-old now passionate about a future in modern art.

His presence at Sunday’s game has been a delicate negotiation with the AFL and yet as the day has drawn closer he seems content, genuinely chuffed by Ugle-Hagan’s homage to his moment.

“Nicky had suggested what he wanted to do to celebrate the moment,” Ralphsmith says.

“The occasion was to get together with the boys who played, it was a good turn out. There were only two who weren’t there. (The late) Danny Frawley is one and Laurie Bingham was overseas with work, and everyone else was there.

“It was a fantastic day. Nicky spoke really well. He talked to us, along with Aunty Katrina Amon who is the Indigenous Liaison leader at the club.”

Winmar remains beloved by his teammates, as evidenced by Tony Lockett’s succinct reply when the Herald Sun asked him for his view 30 years on: “Champion player. Champion bloke”.

Progress is never linear, as another of Winmar’s teammates in Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt can attest.

Even after Winmar’s clarion call he was involved in his own racism episode and was suspended by the AFL for four weeks in 1999.

Nicky Winmar pictured with the Frawley family and Tony Lockett at St Kilda’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

But he believes society is marching forward even as it drags along those determinedly stuck in the dark ages.

“You don’t know the significance of it when you are out there. You stand there in the middle of Victoria Park and you are fearing for your life. You walked through the crowd and police horses would come onto the field,” Everitt recalled this week.

“People were yelling stuff at us and screaming. To see that (Winmar’s stance) now and know what it represents, is incredible. Thinking about my own experiences throughout my career, we’ve all learnt things along the way.

“I am proud that he (Winmar) stood up and played a cracking game. Unfortunately now, 30 years on, we are still seeing it happening. I don’t know why they can’t catch these people.”

As the Collingwood and St Kilda players form a guard of honour to celebrate Winmar on Sunday there will be a sense of occasion and the passing of the baton.

Winmar has known for 30 years he cannot fight the battle against racism alone, and now the next generation is willing and able to join him in the fight.

Saints, Pies to honour Winmar on anniversary

Collingwood and St Kilda players will come together to commemorate Nicky Winmar’s 30th anniversary of his stance against racism before the Saints-Pies clash on Sunday.

Winmar will be in attendance at the contest for a pre-match ceremony that will pay tribute to one of footy’s most iconic moments.

Collingwood was eager to be involved in that pre-match ceremony after going through its own awakening following the club’s Do Better report into historical racism.

The club’s chief executive Craig Kelly and football boss Graham Wright were both on the club’s list in 1993 — with Wright playing in the game — and are keen to be part of the solution against racism.

The former St Kilda star lifted his jumper to make clear he was black and proud after incessant racial abuse to him and teammate Gilbert McAdam at Victoria Park

Winmar’s iconic stance against racism in 1993. Pic John Feder

Winmar will be part of that pre-match ceremony and while he is keen for a new generation of Indigenous players to take up the mantle against racism he has been thrilled with the developments of the past few weeks.

Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan reprised Winmar’s salute after kicking a goal in the week after he was racially abused during and after a game against St Kilda.

Earlier this year Winmar met with many of his teammates from that day in 1993, in a low-key commemoration.

St Kilda chief executive Simon Lethlean said the club was keen to pay tribute to the moment in a manner that satisfied Winmar.

“It won’t be over the top but it will be a good mark of respect from both clubs who played 30 years ago and it is what Nicky is comfortable with. We wanted to be respectful and recognise Nicky and support him,” Lethlean said.