Neil Elvis 'Nicky' Winmar

His silky skills covered the full range of football. A breathtaking mark, glorious kick and magical in his ball handling Winmar's tackling was also superb.

St Kilda 1987-98, 230 games, 283 goals. Western Bulldogs 1999, 21 games, 34 goals. (b: 25 Sep 1965, 183 cms, 81 kgs). The brilliant former South Fremantle player at various times exhilarated, dismayed and bewildered the football public. When the Eagles were putting a side together they were interested in 35 players and had to cut back to 30. Winmar was one of the five that missed out. He was then regarded as inconsistent and unreliable, but at St Kilda the Aboriginal player was a changed man, running second in the best and fairest in his first two years then winning the award in 1989. He won it again in 1995. His silky skills covered the full range of football. A breathtaking mark, glorious kick and magical in his ball handling Winmar's tackling was also superb. While most Western Australians struggled in the wet Winmar played some of his finest games in slushy conditions - a skill gained from the days when he and his brother turned on the hoses and pretended it was a muddy ground in Melbourne. He played as a half-forward and winger for St Kilda and for half a season stood in for Lockett as full-forward. In 1990 he turned to religion in a much publicised move and seemed to wrestle with the change in lifestyle. Out of character he was suspended for 10 weeks on a kicking and eye gouging charge. St Kilda was on the verge of swapping him, but to his credit Winmar fought back to regain his form and once again became one of the best players in the competition in 1992. At the start of 1993 he was in scintillating form and led in most media awards. He was then involved in a huge controversy when St Kilda beat Collingwood and he showed his skin color to the Victoria Park crowd that had been shouting racist taunts all day. A week later he had a financial dispute with St Kilda and was in exile for a month. Eventually he came back, but by then St Kilda's campaign was in tatters. In 1997 he became the first Aboriginal player to reach the 200 game mark, but along the way was dropped twice for disciplinary reasons. In 1997 he was used more in a forward pocket role as the signs of age meant he found it harder to cover lots of ground on a wing or a flank. He had a topsy-turvy 1998 campaign which plumbed the depths when he put on a bizarre display and totally lost his cool against Carlton and more particularly his tagger Anthony Franchina. Yet he was an effective player in the finals and if he had not been scragged at the last minute his late shot at goal would have pinched the final against Sydney. St Kilda finally parted company with him and he was picked up by the Bulldogs. He gave them a handy year. He was recruited to help the club bridge the finals gap, but unfortunately he was injured in the first final and missed the second week of the finals. He was an All-Australian in 1991 and 1995. He represented Western Australia eight times.

Player profile © The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby and Jim Main

Nicky Winmar

Graeme

Saints Hall of Fame Memorable Moments

I am writing from the North West township of Tom Price where I have been living for 9 1/2 years now. I am a Victorian, born n' bred in St Kilda and proud of it. I had the pleasure a few years ago of meeting Nicky Winmar when he came to live here briefly. He was working for a contracting company and was going to learn to drive the big haul trucks we drive here in the mines. My then supervisor was a keen footy follower, Collingwood supporter, but he knew I am a mad Saints supporter, so when Nicky arrived on site, my supervisor arranged for him to come with me for the morning in my haul truck. He seemed like a very modest bloke, reluctant to talk about his footy career, but we got on well. I am now in my 50s and he told me that he would rather talk to guys like me about life in general, than younger guys who just want to talk about his footy all the time. He was only here a few weeks or so, but I am glad to say I met the guy. A nice bloke is Nicky.

Elvis

Danny Blay

Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments

While many would remember this day as a defining moment for footy and for the club, I am still proud and honoured to have been at Victoria Park in 1993 to not only witness a mighty Saints victory at one of the most hostile environs in many years, but to see Neil Elvis (Nicky) Winmar shine as a gifted player, and a brave human being.

My father and I always dreaded the trip up Punt road to Abbotsford, and, this week being no exception, my father convinced me to buy a seat with him in the grandstand. This was for more safety than comfort. On more than one occasion we had experienced ‘rain’ when the sky was clear. Yet, we found out the hard way that no seat or terrace at that ground was any more safe or preferable to another.

From the first bounce, rabid Collingwood supporters were into Winmar. Not due to his talent. Not because of his ability. It was all due to the colour of his skin.

My father and I ignored the racist taunts and jibes by many of these shameful people, many of whom were first or second generation Australians, and with children by their side. One elderly lady sitting in front of us, a crocheted black and white blanket over her lap, a well weathered Thermos in her basket, turned to me and noted that "We’re not all like that," referring to the hideous verbal barrage emanating from some of her fellow supporters. "Well, why don’t you tell them to cut it out?" was my response. She stared blankly, and turned back to watch the game.

"Go and walkabout where you came from you black…"
"Go and sniff some petrol you black…"
"Get some rope and hang yourself like the rest of you…"

My father and I took turns in holding each other back from responding. We would take the high moral ground. We would not acknowledge their despicable tirades. The mighty Sainters were flying. A tight, tough game, we were heading for a most memorable win.

The vicious Pie supporters began to become even more aggressive, if that were possible. Other St. Kilda players would get a serve, but the vast majority of their attention was paid to our number 7. They then turned their attention to any St. Kilda supporters within spitting distance. My father made his way to a policeman to ask for assistance. The copper shrugged and went back to watching the game. Things were getting tense. My father and I were on the edge of our seats as the Saints powered to victory, and for a quick getaway.

When the barrage towards us became unbearable at about the 25 minute mark of the final quarter, we decided to move. The last thing we wanted was to be surrounded by a pack of rabid Magpies when the final siren sounded.

The final blitz of insults followed us down the rickety timber steps to ground level, our eyes for the play on the field, our hearts already bursting with pride for the red, black and white. At the bottom of the stairs I turned back to the seething mass of hate that was the Collingwood grandstand and raised my arms in victory. More abuse came tumbling down like an avalanche. We walked along an isle towards the wing, where some very jolly Sainter supporters were already celebrating.

"Knock knock!"
"Who’s there?"
"Owen!"
"Owen who?"
"Oh when the Saints…go marchin’ in…"

The final siren sent a wave of Sainters into the air – players and supporters. Sheer joy as we celebrated and rejoiced. Skill over thuggery. Good over evil. And then it happened. I looked over towards Winmar, who was staring almost blankly towards the crowd. In one deft movement, his jumper was raised over his skin, a finger pointing to his taut midriff. If words did emanate from his mouth, they were lost in the din of celebration. But the message was clear. I’m black and I’m proud. And, I’m a damn fine footballer.

The repercussions of Winmar’s actions were felt for weeks, months, years. Photos of Winmar’s gesture appeared in newspapers across the country. A cartoon appeared in the paper that week of a svelte and focused Winmar raising his jumper, pointing to his skin. Over the fence was an obese Collingwood supporter, lifting his jumper, pointing to his large, flabby gut, profanities escaping from his mouth.

The photo of Nicky in his now famous pose graced a poster for Aboriginal Sports Awards. A friend ‘borrowed’ my precious copy and had it signed and laminated for my birthday. It now graces the wall of my workplace.

This incident is about defining moments in footy. But it is also about defining moments as we, a community, are engaging with the bigger issues – the issues that have profound effects on all people. Nicky Winmar transformed the relatively silly and inconsequential game of the ol’ up and down footy to the realm of the most profound notions of justice and rectitude. Nicky Winmar demonstrated that, even in footy, there is a bigger picture.

Danny Blay

Winmar defying gravity

Daniel Brown

Saints Hall of fame memorable moments

My fondest childhood memories are being on the shoulders of my uncle John McMillan (ruckman 1960-64) at Moorabbin on a sunny day. Nicky Winmar as a young winger soaring over four Essendon players totally ignoring gravity and floating back to the soft ground that was Moorabbin.

Daniel Brown

Elvis and Plugger

Chris

Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments

Nicky and Plugger.

It was a game against Adelaide at Moorabbin, though the year escapes me. Nicky Winmar and Tony Lockett were both returning from injury. In the first minute of the game, as I stood under the windsock with family and friends, Nicky picked up the ball on the wing, switched to his right foot and sent a forty metre pass to Plugger on the lead.

The game's result seemed inevitable from then on. We hadn't seen them together for awhile, but they were back together in a minute, and the electricity was intense. And man, were we the most exciting side in the league then or what.

Chris

Send in your story or tribute now by sending an email to halloffame@saints.com.au