Winmar warns AFL it may scare off indigenous players

AFL great Nicky Winmar has called for the Aboriginal flag to be plastered across the front door of AFL House.

Eddie Betts and Jake Lever take the knee in support of Black Lives Matter before the Carlton and Melbourne clash on Saturday Picture: Michael Klein

AFL great Nicky Winmar has called for the Aboriginal flag to be hung across the front door of AFL House as a permanent symbol of reconciliation.

Winmar also wants giant “Say No to Racism” banners positioned around all AFL stadiums as a show of support for the game’s indigenous stars.

The St Kilda legend said this week’s racial attack of Carlton’s Eddie Betts was sickening and a reminder that attitudes had still not changed 27 years after his own famous stand against racism at Victoria Park.

“They should put the Aboriginal flag out the front there and send the message loud and clear to the community — ‘Say no to racism’,” Winmar told The Australian.

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“We’ve got to go back to the basics, because it’s been 27 years since I made my stance and it’s still happening.

“Poor Eddie. I feel so sorry for him. He’s come back to the club where he first started and copped that – it’s got to end. Why are people still doing this? Don’t they have any respect.”

The league flies the Aboriginal flag and Australian flag on poles outside its Dockland headquarters, and has used the front of AFL House to support gay marriage. But Winmar believes displaying a larger Aboriginal flag in a more prominent position would send another powerful message.

“I’d love to turn back time and play footy again because it’s the greatest game ever – and it’s good to see it back again … but I feel sad for the future of the AFL if there are no more indigenous players playing anymore because they are too scared,” Winmar said.

“And it could happen. We’ve got to have zero tolerance. Racism cannot be tolerated. It has to stop. Enough is enough.

“The person who did that (to Betts) needs to understand what that does to us.

“It is detrimental to our mental health and the wellbeing of our families and our communities.

“Education needs to be installed daily in our schools, family homes, footy grounds and clubs.

“It needs to be talked about before every training session and every game.

“Indigenous history should be taught at all schools and universities to give a better understanding of our culture.

“We’ve just got to keep supporting all our indigenous people out there.”

Winmar famously lifted his guernsey after a game against Collingwood at Victoria Park in 1993 and pointed to his black skin in a response to racist abuse from fans.

“The Saints play Collingwood (at the MCG) this weekend,” Winmar said on Tuesday.

“Put up a sign saying ‘No to racism’. Put them everywhere.”

The two-time All Australian said simple gestures could go a long way.

“There’s a story about (indigenous player) Sir Doug Nicholls back in the Fitzroy days where he had to change away from the other players,” Winmar said.

“Haydn Bunton went over to him and said, ‘What are you doing?’ And he said, ‘Well, it is what it is’ and Bunton said, ‘No, you are my teammate and stood there and changed into his uniform with him’.”

Winmar said the AFL leadership was not doing enough to fight racism.

“They’ve got to get it right this time. Zero tolerance has got to happen,” he said.

Adam Goodes’ absence from the game was an indictment on the competition, the 251-game champion said.

“It was so hurtful to him,” Winmar said.

“He doesn’t go to the footy anymore. He’s stopped going because of what happened – but the guy played over 300 games and won two Brownlows medals for crying out loud.”

Herald Sun