Indigenous champion Nicky Winmar has expressed pleasure in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s determination to sort out racism head-on.
The 20-year-old Western Bulldogs ahead made a strong stand on Thursday night time, replicating Winmar’s iconic gesture when he lifted his jumper and pointed to his pores and skin.
The outstanding second at Marvel Stadium got here simply 5 days after Ugle-Hagan was racially abused throughout and after a match on the identical venue.
It was nearly 30 years to the day since Winmar famously stood as much as racial abuse from Collingwood supporters at Victoria Park in April 1993.
Winmar was awarded two Brownlow Medal votes for his efficiency that afternoon – fellow Indigenous star Gilbert McAdam received three – however sat out the subsequent three video games.
Appearing on the MCG for St Kilda’s 150-year anniversary celebrations, Winmar lauded Ugle-Hagan’s power.
“I’m very proud of him that he did stay and didn’t go anywhere else,” Winmar instructed the Seven Network.
“(After) my incident 30 years ago, I went away for about four or five weeks.
“I did not wish to come again. I used to be damage fairly dangerous.
“But with the help of the Western Bulldogs and Luke Beveridge – a good friend of mine, a close mate – and the support they gave him (he stayed).
“We’ve nonetheless received a combat that we now have and I’m not going to inform everyone what to do or inform them to close up, they’ve simply received to manage what they are saying.”
Ugle-Hagan recreated Winmar’s gesture after kicking the first of his five goals in a match-winning display for the Bulldogs against Brisbane.
The AFL is still investigating circumstances surrounding the racial abuse directed at Ugle-Hagan during and after the round-two match against St Kilda, but is yet to identify the culprits.
The Saints have said the culprits will no longer be welcome at their games, and joined the Bulldogs and AFL in condemning the “dangerous and abhorrent racist remarks” made in opposition to Ugle-Hagan.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
