Darcy McEncroe Journalism Portfolio

The AFL is once again dealing with a racism problem that has lasted longer than most Herald Sun readers’ patience for “political correctness.” And if the league needed a reminder that nothing has really changed, it only has to look at two moments separated by more than two decades: Nicky Winmar’s stand in 1993 and Adam Goodes’ treatment in the mid‑2010s. Different eras, same sport, same country, same exhausting cycle of denial.

Fresh reports of racist abuse directed at Indigenous players in the lead‑up to Indigenous Round have again forced the AFL to confront a problem it has spent more than 30 years promising to fix. Despite the league’s annual celebration of First Nations culture — complete with guernseys, ceremonies and glossy marketing — the same patterns of fan behaviour, inconsistent responses and cultural blind spots keep resurfacing, raising uncomfortable questions about how much progress is real and how much is PR.

Winmar’s gesture — lifting his Saints jumper and pointing to his skin after being racially abused at Victoria Park — was supposed to be a line in the sand. Instead, it became the first chapter in a very long book the AFL still hasn’t finished reading: racism, outrage, statement, education session, repeat.

Then came Adam Goodes. A dual Brownlow medallist, Australian of the Year and one of the most decorated players of his generation — yet he was booed out of the game by crowds who insisted it had “nothing to do with race.” The AFL eventually apologised, years too late, acknowledging it failed to protect him. It was a powerful apology, but also the kind you give after the damage is done and the moving truck has already left the driveway.

Now, as the league prepares to honour Indigenous players, it is once again issuing statements condemning discriminatory behaviour — this time while also dealing with the fallout from St Kilda forward Lance Collard’s suspension being significantly reduced after he was found guilty of using a homophobic slur in a VFL match. The Appeals Board accepted the argument that the comment was made in the context of on‑field “banter,” prompting criticism about mixed messages on discrimination.

All the while, Indigenous players continue to report online and on field abuse. Clubs are still fielding complaints from fans. Each time the issue resurfaces, the AFL rolls out the same script — polished, predictable and increasingly hollow.

The league insists progress has been made. And yes, there are more cultural programs, more Indigenous voices in leadership and more willingness from clubs to call out abuse. But when the same patterns stretch from Winmar to Goodes to now, it’s hard to argue the system is working.

Experts say the AFL’s real challenge isn’t policy, it is culture. You can write all the guidelines you want, but if the attitudes in the stands, online and sometimes inside clubs don’t shift, nothing changes. As one Indigenous advocate put it this week, “The AFL doesn’t create racism. It just gives Australia a very big stage to show it.”

Players are increasingly blunt about it too. Some say they’re tired of being the ones expected to educate the public. Others question why the league still struggles to respond quickly and consistently. The AFLPA has renewed calls for stronger protections and clearer reporting pathways, arguing the current system leaves too much responsibility on individuals.

And then there are the fans, many of whom are exhausted, frustrated and wondering how the league can celebrate Indigenous Round with fireworks and face paint while still failing to protect the players it claims to honour. Meanwhile, a certain corner of the Herald Sun comment section continues to insist racism is “overblown,” which is a bit like insisting the MCG is a boutique stadium with “intimate vibes.”

Whether the AFL can finally break the cycle remains unclear. What is clear is that the league has been here before, and fans, players and officials are increasingly tired of watching the same story play out, just with a new name attached each time.