Sydney Swans midfielder Lewis Jetta says football fans need to show more respect for Adam Goodes and his contribution to the game.
Jetta stunned the crowd at Domain Stadium on Sunday when he goaled and then performed a version of the war dance Goodes' famously used in Indigenous Round.
"All through the game 'Goodesy' was getting touches and getting booed the whole time, so it was just a bit of support," Jetta told Swans TV.
"He's a superstar of the game, a superstar for us (at the) Swans, and fans need to show more respect for what he's done for the game.
"All this booing stuff needs to be thrown out the window."
The quietly-spoken and extremely media shy Jetta broke his silence after the match while standing side by side with his teammate, saying the treatment of Goodes this season had been extremely frustrating.
Goodes, who has been a mentor for Jetta since he arrived at the club from WAFL club Swan Districts in 2009, said he was chuffed by the show of solidarity.
"It's awesome, we're in his country here in Western Australia, and he's got all his family and friends at the ground," Goodes said.
"To see him do that made me very proud and to hear him talk about the reason he chose to do it in support of me, and what's continually going on out there, it's fantastic.
"It makes me very proud that he was thinking about me when he was doing it."
Goodes also said he would be disappointed if his contribution to the game on and off the field was overshadowed by the constant booing he had received from opposition fans in recent years.
The dual Brownlow medallist has been verbally targeted by supporters from most clubs, particularly this season, despite pleas from his teammates, league officials and peers to stop the boos.
Goodes made a statement in round nine – Indigenous Round – against Carlton, when he performed what he described as an 'Indigenous war cry' after kicking a goal against the Blues.
The veteran received some of criticism after the incident, but also had plenty of supporters applauding the show of pride in his heritage.
West Coast fans joined the list of Goodes haters in the club's 52-point win over the Swans in Perth on Sunday, and the two-time premiership Swan and club record games holder said it would be disappointing if this was how he was remembered.
"I'm coming towards the end of my career and if I leave the game this year and that's the aftermath of what's happened at the end of my career, I'd be really disappointed," he told Swans TV.
"There's fantastic support – friends, family, other football clubs – it's just a continual battle at the moment, and it's frustrating to have all that bad energy targeted towards me.
"I can just keep getting out there and battling away and try my best."
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has called for the booing of Goodes to stop, and said he had no issue with Jetta's actions.
"I don't believe this was about inciting the crowd. I believe it was a statement to support Adam, who has been habitually booed for many weeks now," McLachlan told 3AW.
"I don't think it was (done) in a threatening way, other than to say 'I support Adam', and it was a direct reference because the war dance was something Adam did."
The AFL boss stopped short of saying the treatment of Goodes had racial overtones.
"I think there's a lot of things at play. I think Adam basically is a very public leader in our game, but I think everyone has had enough of [the booing]," he said.
"I think there are lots of different attributes to why it started and I don't think people even know why they're doing it now.
"I don't think it's a great reflection on our game.
"There comes a point when we've got to call out and say enough is enough.
"Whatever point people wanted to make months ago, now it's having an emotional and taxing toll on the player, and I would encourage people to have a think about why they're doing it and have a think about the individual, because I think it's time for it to stop."