Nicky Winmar returns to Victoria Park 20 years after his famous stand following racial abuse

VIDEO: Nicky Winmar yesterday stepped on Victoria Park for the first time in 20 years.

NICKY Winmar yesterday stepped on Victoria Park for the first time in 20 years.

For all that has changed between then and now, Winmar's memories of the day that shifted the football landscape forever remain as sharp as his skills for his beloved St Kilda.

On April 17, 1993, Winmar and teammate Gilbert McAdam had left the visitor changerooms for a stroll on Victoria Park at half-time of the reserves game.

They were spat on, told to "go and sniff some petrol" and subjected to all manner of abuse by Collingwood fans in a precursor to a hellish afternoon.

"It made me feel like going out there and running amok on the field," said Winmar, speaking at the launch of indigenous round.

That they did, delivering St Kilda only its sixth win at Victoria Park in 96 years and its first in 17 years.

McAdam, whose five goals that day earnt him the three Brownlow votes, said: "I remember saying to Nick: 'Brother, we don't have to put up with this. Today we will kill them'.

"For me personally, that was one of the best games I ever played at AFL level, but to do it on such a significant day I feel so proud to be a part of it."

When Winmar turned to the crowd, pulled up his jumper and said the words "I'm proud to be black", he helped deliver one of Australian sports most iconic photos.

"I was pretty emotional about it. I just wanted people to know that I am black and I am proud," Winmar said.

"I still get questioned about it today, but I made the stand and that will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Such was the stream of abuse that day, by the time Winmar had made his stand Gilbert's father Charlie had retreated to the hotel to listen on radio, shocked at the crowd's behaviour.

"It's been a long time. It brings back a lot of memories," Winmar said in those visitor changerooms at a very different Victoria Park yesterday.

"It was hard to come here."

Winmar, 47, had a heart attack last September that has sadly slowed the 251-game midfielder and Saints' dual best and fairest winner.

Winmar has lost both his father and brother to heart attacks in recent years.

"It's like going from crawling to walking again. It took me a long time just to start walking again after the hear attack," Winmar said.

"I've lost jobs since my heart attack, I have to see my cardiologist every two to three months, sometimes the medication gets you in a state where you get angry for no reason and you don't know why.

"Why did it happen to me? Why did I have a heart attack? These questions play on your mind. I've missed a lot of functions over the years ... I wanted to be here for this.

"I look at that photo and I was a very fit and proud person. I loved playing for St Kilda and for my family. My mum and dad aren't with me anymore and I'm glad I went back and spent some time with them.

"If I didn't play well he (dad) wouldn't talk to me. He wouldn't talk to me for about a week. That photo, he was just so proud."

Winmar praised the AFL's determination to stamp out racial abuse, but admitted he was disappointed it still persisted.

"It is sad and it shouldn't happen. Just go to games, sit back, relax and enjoy it," he said.

"It doesn't matter what colour or culture you are, just go and enjoy yourself."

This week's indigenous round will see the Sherrin decorated by indigenous art, while the centre circle will again be painted in the colours of the Aboriginal flag.

Four clubs will wear specially themed jumpers.