Goodes is as graceful as any player of his era. Deceptively quick with his high-stepping gait, he boasts superb aerial and ground skills, elusiveness, dual-sidedness and supreme finishing ability. An all-purpose player, Goodes is one of the most difficult to counter – The Brownlow: A Tribute to the Greats of Australian Football.

Dual Brownlow Medalist, dual premiership player, four-time All-Australian, Indigenous Team of the Century member and the all-time Sydney Swans and Indigenous games record holder. That is how Adam Goodes, footballer, should be remembered. Sadly, at this point in time, this is not the case.

In the Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round of 2013, Adam Goodes’ career changed forever. Because he made a stand against racism. A stance of incredible bravery. During the biggest match of an enormously significant round of football, he was racially vilified and he called it out. A thirteen-year-old girl was evicted from the MCG as a result. Her age and gender is quite simply in this case, irrelevant. Racism has no place. However, a grotesque mob mentality developed and they decided Goodes was somehow in the wrong.

The very next day, he clearly expressed his message of sympathy and support to that girl. 28 times in one press conference. The situation escalated dramatically though, in the following week when certain high-profile media identities began their own sordid backlash towards him. When the loathsome shock-jock squad captured the narrative, it ensured that this would continue until the day Goodes retired. And beyond.

The following year, Adam Goodes was presented as the Australian of the Year. As a proud Indigenous man, he now had a platform to encourage conversation and to embolden his people who had been grossly mistreated for centuries. He subsequently dared to voice his opinion on a matter that he is so rightly passionate about. This issue makes many uncomfortable, and it should. A large portion of Australians felt and still feel challenged by his views, resulting in a refusal to face up to the issue at hand. This issue is racism and keeping heads in the sand only exacerbates the problem. Shouldn’t we all be striving for equality and equity?

The 2014 Grand Final is a day that many of us identify with, for a range of unwelcome reasons. My everlasting memory is of our Australian of the Year attracting the most abhorrent of abuse. That day cemented the power of work necessary to forge ahead. Can we ever become comfortable being uncomfortable?

When the events reached crisis point in 2015, our community connected to honour a great Australian. As our Swans faced the Crows, with Goodesy absent, it occurred to me before the match that that we had already won. The response from the Red & White faithful was immense. For the first time that I can remember, the result was completely irrelevant. We made a stand. A stand that transcended football, and it was beautiful. Pre-game feelings of restlessness and emptiness dissipated with a single scan of the SCG stands -  a sumptuous sight and emotions were running high. I’ve never been prouder to be a Swan.

We only saw Adam Goodes play seven more times. Seven more times he was booed.

The Final Quarter holds a mirror to Australian society’s standout shortcoming. As Swans supporters, none of what we saw is breaking new ground. We’re well versed in these events. What we did see however, was a heart achingly painful reminder of how one of our champions, who gave us so much joy, received so much vitriol. This film was made entirely on archival footage. Everything in it, is factual. Astoundingly, it all happened. Goodes’ message throughout was consistent – instead of fearing the unknown, embrace it and discuss it.

Feelings of uneasy anticipation were again present last night. How would this documentary be received? The director, Ian Darling wanted the film to promote conversation – a new conversation. This is where our sense of hope must live. We all surely dream of a nation in which our children and their children can live devoid of discrimination. Regrettably, we won’t endure to see that. We can only hope that if we follow the lead of Adam Goodes, we can contribute to a brighter future.

As part of a school community, I can’t help but imagine the educational possibilities here. No child is born with racism on the mind. This is a learned behaviour. This is a product of environment. The film presents an unmissable opportunity to discuss what racism means in Australia. Conversation, education and explanation form the key components of our way forward together.

No person, of any age, of any gender has the right to discriminate, despite the cost of your ticket. As a sporting code, Australian Football failed to take a stance. Australian Football failed. One of our all-time greats was, and continues to be, subjected to treatment that can only be described as heinous. I will be among the many thousands who today will be holding our breath. Painstakingly waiting for footy’s and society’s response.

It saddens us, that a man who shows exemplary respect and understanding of others, does not have those same qualities reciprocated. Beyond the footballer here, is a man who displays outstanding individual qualities on a daily basis. I’m certain that I’m not the only Blood to have shed a tear for our man last night.

I respect no footballer more than Adam Goodes. A man of obvious grace and dignity, his approach to such adversity is an inspiration to many. Myself included. He will prove to stand proudly on the right side of history and we are all so very fortunate to have witnessed such incredible fortitude and courage. We now need to take our inspiration and live it. We can all make a difference and the time to make a stand is now.

This is our opportunity to fly. To fly alongside our graceful Swan.