AFL Gather Round Collingwood Magpies apologize to Winmar, McAdam for racist abuse

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Thirty years after Nicky Winmar famously took a stand against racism, Collingwood has officially apologized to St Kilda champion and team-mate Gilbert McAdam for the abuse they suffered.

Winmar revealed this week that he is still suffering from the events at Victoria Park in April 1993, when he and McAdam were subjected to a torrent of racial abuse from Magpies fans.

This led to Winmar’s powerful stance, when he lifted his sweater and pointed to his skin color to declare, “I’m proud to be black.”

A week after Winmar’s act of pride, Allan McAllister, then chairman of Collingwood, said he had no problem with indigenous people – with an offensive caveat.

“As long as they behave like white people, well, off the pitch everyone will admire and respect…as long as they behave like human beings, they’ll be fine,” McAllister said.

Nicky Winmar is seen at the draw ahead of the St Kilda-Collingwood round 5 clash. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Collingwood, St Kilda and the AFL have acknowledged the disgraceful episode ahead of Sunday’s fifth round between the two clubs at Adelaide Oval.

The Saints and Magpies players entered the field with Winmar and crossed a joint banner.

Earlier Sunday, Collingwood apologized to Winmar and McAdam and condemned McAllister’s comments.

“Collingwood Football Club understands that racism is harmful and has no place in our game and apologizes to Nicky Winmar and Gilbert McAdam for the harm they have suffered while playing football,” said the club in a statement.

“It takes courage to stand up to racism and when First Nations people do that, it’s our chance – all Australians – to listen, learn and change for the better.

“Collingwood also apologizes for the appalling comments made by its most senior official in the days following this game.

“It is important for us to look back and reflect on the mistakes we made and we will continue to listen and learn as we progress at our club.”

The Victoria Park episode and McAllister’s comments were documented in Collingwood’s history of racism ‘Do Better’ report, published in 2021.

“To be clear, at Collingwood we are staying on a path – we believe real and lasting cultural change takes time, dedication and perseverance,” the club said in its statement.

“We also believe that there is no finish line when it comes to eliminating racism.

“Collingwood is incredibly fortunate to have so many proud First Nations people who make up our club at all levels – as players, coaches, staff and members of our Board of Directors.

“We thank our First Nations brothers and sisters who continue to share their culture and experiences to improve our club.”

A statue of Winmar striking his famous pose now stands outside Perth’s Optus Stadium.

The stance was emulated by Jamarra Ugle-Hagan last month when the young Western Bulldogs gun responded to racist abuse during and after a game against St Kilda with a five-goal run against Brisbane.

Like Winmar, Ugle-Hagan lifted her sweater and pointed to her skin in a powerful statement.

However, this has not stopped racist abuse directed at indigenous footballers.

Fremantle duo Michael Walters and Nathan Wilson, Brisbane star Charlie Cameron and Adelaide striker Izak Rankine have all been targeted in recent weeks.

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