FLY THE FLAG

Legend wants permanent symbol on AFL House

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

Winmar also wants giant “Say No to Racism” banners 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 said.

“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 for people?”

The league flies the Aboriginal flag and Australian flag on poles outside its Docklands headquarters, and has previously 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 a powerful message.

“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.