Sunday marked the 23rd anniversary that Nicky Winmar took a stance against racism at the conclusion of St Kilda’s game against Collingwood at Victoria Park. Throughout that day (17 April 1993) racial abuse had been directed by Collingwood supporters at Winmar and Indigenous team-mate Gilbert McAdam. St Kilda had a memorable victory, inspired by Winmar and McAdam who were clearly the best two players on the ground. At the conclusion of the game the racial abuse directed at Winmar and McAdam didn’t die down and in fact became even more vocal, so in response Nicky Winmar faced the Collingwood cheer squad, defiantly lifted his jumper up and pointed to his skin colour to signal that he was proud of his indigenous heritage.

In May 2013 Winmar travelled to Melbourne for Indigenous Round and commented about that infamous day at Victoria Park 20 years prior, and in particular the photograph taken by Wayne Ludbey, which has become one of the most famous images taken of an AFL player. When appearing on Fox Footy’s ‘Open Mike’ with McAdam in May 2013, Winmar said, “What made us go out there and perform to our best? We wanted to show the public not only how good we were, but just stand side by side as brothers as well, we had reached breaking point (about being racially abused) as well.” Nicky went on to say “enough is enough, we’ve got to stand up for our next generation as well.”

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The racial abuse directed at Winmar and McAdam by the Collingwood supporters started at half-time of the reserves when Winmar and McAdam walked onto the ground to check the playing conditions and also to allow McAdam to familiarise himself with the ground as it was the first time he had played at Victoria Park. Before the game against Collingwood started Winmar and McAdam made a pact to respond to the racial abuse they were copping from Collingwood supporters by their actions on the field. After trailing Collingwood by eight points at half-time St Kilda played brilliantly in the second half to  win the Round 4 1993 game by 22 points, recording their first win against Collingwood at Victoria Park in 17 years. McAdam had 21 disposals and kicked a game-high five goals, two more than the second ranked player for the game to receive the three Brownlow Medal votes, whilst Winmar had 25 disposals, laid a team-high seven tackles, and kicked a goal to receive two Brownlow votes. Increasing the degree of difficulty of the victory at Collingwood’s home ground, Saints full-forward Tony Lockett missed the game due to suspension and ruck-rover Robert Harvey suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter.

Through their scintillating performances during the game against Collingwood, together with Nicky’s gesture after the game of lifting his jumper, pointing to his skin to signal “I am black and I am proud” Winmar and McAdam made a significant stand against racism. Two years later the AFL increased their attempts to stamp racism out of the game by introducing the ‘Racial and Religious Vilification code’ to address the issue of racial abuse on-field.

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Nicky Winmar is an all-time great of St Kilda Football Club, and was inducted into St Kilda’s Hall of Fame in 2003 – one of only 13 people inducted in the first year. Winmar played 230 games for St Kilda between 1987 and 1998, won the club’s best and fairest twice (1989 and 1995) and ranks in the all-time top 20 for both games (17th) and goals (12th) for the Saints. In 2001 was selected on the wing in St Kilda’s team of the century. One of Winmar’s greatest strengths was his versatility, allowing him to be very damaging whether he was playing as a midfielder, small forward, or when required, as a leading forward. Winmar was a great exponent of spectacular overhead marking, a precise kick, textbook tackler and also kicked skilful team-lifting goals.

Despite all the spectacular passages of play that Nicky Winmar featured in during his exhilarating career, the moment on a football field that he is most remembered for doesn’t involve a football. It is a moment that has had a lasting impression not just on Australian Rules Football but on society in general and was a turning point in the AFL taking a stand for players who had been racially vilified. A battle that whilst it still continues is in a far more advanced position than it was 23 years ago.

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