Star Pie Bobby Hill concedes AFL’s fight against racism far from over

Bobby Hill’s celebration on Saturday was inspired by Adam Goodes, and not the only time the Norm Smith medallist has paid tribute to the AFL legend, but he tells GLENN McFARLANE the AFL still has ways to go to combat racism.

Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill has revealed Adam Goodes was part of the inspiration behind his spectacular ‘Shake A Leg’ Indigenous goal celebration which lit up the MCG in Collingwood’s thrilling victory over Adelaide last week.

And Hill is hoping to repeat his dance celebrations in Friday night’s clash against the Dockers, with dozens of his family and friends set to make the trip from his hometown of Northam, around 100 kilometres from Perth Stadium.

Goodes famously performed a ‘war cry’ dance to celebrate Indigenous culture in the 2015 Sir Douglas Nicholls Round game against Carlton at the SCG.

Goodes was subjected to racist abuse – before and after his dance – which ultimately led the Sydney champion to prematurely retire from AFL football that same season, breaking a connection to the game that has sadly never been repaired.

Hill has never met Goodes, but has long been inspired by Swans’ star’s fight against racism.

“I love doing it,” Hill said of the dance move he called ‘Shake A Leg’, which included a spear motion at the end as a mark of respect to Goodes.

Bobby Hill doing the Shake A Leg dance at the MCG during the first half of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“I love doing it, I am a very proud Aboriginal man and to do a ‘Shake A Leg’ is just a part of sharing my culture with people,” Hill said.

“I remember Lewis Jetta doing it at West Coast and a few other boys have done it too.

“The spear (motion), the last bit (of the dance) was for Adam Goodes. I’ve seen him do (a traditional dance in 2015) when he went through all that (racism) stuff.

“I wore No. 37 at the Giants for him. He is a great leader and someone I really look up to.”

Hill, who is a proud Whadjuk Ballardong Noongar man, said the fight against racism remains, but he couldn’t be more grateful for the work that players such as his uncle Leon Davis, Goodes and Eddie Betts have done to combat discrimination and to create awareness and celebrate Indigenous culture.

“It has come a long way since my uncle Leon Davis was in the AFL and obviously Adam Goodes and Eddie Betts dealing with what they had to deal with,” he said.

“There are still some things to be learnt about both cultures, but it is unbelievable to be a part of (Sir Doug Nicholls Round) and to share it with people.

“It’s brilliant to see all the clubs run out in their different (Indigenous) jerseys.”

Hill, who has just signed to become one of Red Bull’s AFL athletes, will run out at Perth Stadium on Friday night with his sons, Bobby, two and a half years, and Malakai, two months.

It is a moment he will forever cherish.

Collingwood star Bobby Hill has joined Red Bull. Picture: Samuel Costin / Red Bull

It’s the second time he will have played a game in Sir Douglas Nicholls Round in his home state of WA, but it is the first time in a black and white jumper, designed by Davis’ father, Trevor.

Originally from Northam, he reckons a large chunk of the population of the town are headed down to Perth for the match – “they will fill up one of the wings,” he said with a smile.

“I love this round,” he said. “When I was younger, I used to always watch ‘Dreamtime at the ‘G’ and always thought to myself I wanted to get drafted and be a part of Indigenous Round.”

The 24-year-old, who was best afield in the Magpies’ stunning premiership success last year, is confident the club is building a strong defence to that flag, despite a long injury list.

“Some people doubted us last year and again this year, but we know what we have to do,” he said. “We are playing some great footy at the moment.”

“But there are things we are still learning and improvements to come.

“It is a long year. If we can keep putting the W’s (wins) on the board, we can be pretty scary.”

Hill has joined the likes of Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca and Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak as part of the Red Bull AFL stable, having earlier this year experienced the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park.

“It’s a great opportunity to be a Red Bull athlete,” he said. “I’m really pinching myself.”

“It was a great experience to go to the F1 here in Melbourne, and if I want to go overseas to LA or Austria, they have got great training bases over there.”

Originally published as Star Pie Bobby Hill concedes AFL’s fight against racism far from over