Dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes says the significance of Indigenous Round adds so much extra weight to the Swans' clash with Carlton at the SCG on Friday night.
Goodes helped launch the AFL's Indigenous Round at a special function held at Bangarra Dance Theatre on Tuesday alongside teammates Lance Franklin, Lewis Jetta and Abaina Davis.
Indigenous spokesperson and former Essendon player Michael Long was also in attendance and joined Goodes on stage for an intriguing Q&A with SBS' Karla Grant which touched on the very moments in the game's history which ultimately led to the implementation of the AFL Racial Vilification Policy - the first policy of its kind in Australian sport.
The two icons sat side-by-side following a beautifully choreographed dance from members of the Bangarra Dance Theatre which had everyone in attendance, including AFL Commissioner Sam Mostyn and Marngrook Footy Show panellist Gilbert McAdam, fixated from start to finish.
Twenty years ago the likes of McAdam, Long and Nicky Winmar took a stand against racism, actions which allowed Goodes and his fellow Indigenous players the freedom to go out and perform at the highest level each weekend.
"Those people made a stand and have made it so much easier for Lance and myself and the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander footballers to come through without that stress, without that overlying feeling over your head ‘is something going to happen this weekend?" Goodes said.
"For us to go out there and feel equal and to run around and just play footy, it’s a blessing. You only have to look back 20 years and it wasn’t so easy for those trailblazers."
Coming off arguably his best performance of the year against Hawthorn on the weekend Goodes was asked about his form, how his body was feeling after eight rounds into his 17th season of AFL Football and how significant running out in a jumper specially designed by his mum, Lisa Sansbury, will be.
"Last week was definitely the best output I’ve had from a physical point of view," Goodes said.
"I’ve been working on my fitness to get to that level and it’s just nice that it all came together against one of the best opposition in the country on a pretty big stage at the MCG.
"I’m just happy to be fit and hopefully that can carry on for the next couple of weeks.
"And Mum still finds it hard to believe that we get to run around wearing her guernsey design, so she's very chuffed."
Apart from Lisa's design, the boys will run out with the letter 'R' embroidered on the red and white jumper. The symbol stands for "Recognise", a campaign which aims to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution.
Nine AFL clubs have joined the movement towards constitutional recognition and will feature the 'R' on their respective Indigenous-themed guernseys.
Supporters who arrive early on Friday night will be treated to a live performance from ARIA award winning Australian Indigenous singer-songwriter Dan Sultan.
