Senior Indigenous AFL players were left ashamed by the failure of football to provide adequate support for Adam Goodes in his hour of need.
But the league's players remain hopeful Goodes will love the game again one day.
The AFL Players' Association issued two statements on Thursday ahead of the release of The Final Quarter – a documentary detailing Goodes' challenging last few years before his 2015 retirement – which premieres on Friday night.
Indigenous players watched the movie at their pre-season summit in February, with the AFL Players' Association Indigenous Advisory Board – which includes current players Shaun Burgoyne, Neville Jetta, Chad Wingard, Allen Christensen, Jarrod Pickett and Shane Edwards – issuing a statement condemning the way Sydney Swans great Goodes was treated in the latter stages of his career, but alsohopeful all Australians could learn something from the film.
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"We were angry with how Adam, one of the greatest to play the game, was faced with clear racial discrimination from members of the public during this time," the Indigenous players' statement said.
"We are ashamed with how the game didnt provide enough support to Adam during the most challenging time of his life. We feel guilty that we, as his brothers, didnt do more to protect him. We are proud that he stood up for what is right. We are hopeful that this moment will be remembered as a turning point for Indigenous people.
"This was a traumatic time for Adam and was felt by all Indigenous people. However, it wouldve been a great shame had society moved on and forgotten the detail of what unfolded. Its important that we all learn from the experience to ensure it does not happen again."
Meanwhile Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield – speaking in his capacity as AFLPA president – lamented what Goodes endured, most notably the racially-motivated booing he experienced in 2015.
"We, as players, feel Read More – Source
Senior Indigenous AFL players were left ashamed by the failure of football to provide adequate support for Adam Goodes in his hour of need.
But the league's players remain hopeful Goodes will love the game again one day.
The AFL Players' Association issued two statements on Thursday ahead of the release of The Final Quarter – a documentary detailing Goodes' challenging last few years before his 2015 retirement – which premieres on Friday night.
Indigenous players watched the movie at their pre-season summit in February, with the AFL Players' Association Indigenous Advisory Board – which includes current players Shaun Burgoyne, Neville Jetta, Chad Wingard, Allen Christensen, Jarrod Pickett and Shane Edwards – issuing a statement condemning the way Sydney Swans great Goodes was treated in the latter stages of his career, but alsohopeful all Australians could learn something from the film.
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"We were angry with how Adam, one of the greatest to play the game, was faced with clear racial discrimination from members of the public during this time," the Indigenous players' statement said.
"We are ashamed with how the game didnt provide enough support to Adam during the most challenging time of his life. We feel guilty that we, as his brothers, didnt do more to protect him. We are proud that he stood up for what is right. We are hopeful that this moment will be remembered as a turning point for Indigenous people.
"This was a traumatic time for Adam and was felt by all Indigenous people. However, it wouldve been a great shame had society moved on and forgotten the detail of what unfolded. Its important that we all learn from the experience to ensure it does not happen again."
Meanwhile Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield – speaking in his capacity as AFLPA president – lamented what Goodes endured, most notably the racially-motivated booing he experienced in 2015.
"We, as players, feel Read More – Source