A CAMPAIGN is underway to honour Nicky Winmar's iconic stand against racism.
The fundraising drive to erect a statue was publicised a day out from the start of the league's annual Sir Doug Nicholls indigenous round.
Reacting to a torrent of racist abuse from Collingwood fans, Winmar raised his St Kilda guernsey and pointed to his chest after a big win over the Magpies at their Victoria Park home.
Indigenous teammate Gilbert McAdam kicked five goals and earned three Brownlow Medal votes.
Watch the proposal for the statue here
Veteran photographer Wayne Ludbey caught Winmar's gesture and the image - one of the most famous in Australian sporting history - was splashed across the front page of The Age the following day.
Winmar's defiance and the stand taken by Essendon star Michael Long two years later proved turning points in the League's attitude towards racism.
"I saw it once and I thought they were just mucking around," Winmar told Fox Footy about the statue project.
"If it happens, I'm proud to be a part of that.
"The family and the grandkids are coming through as well - they'd probably go around and see it one day.
"That time, that moment, it was right for someone like myself - and Michael (Long) as well - to make a stand for our indigenous kids coming through."
Winmar will be at Saturday's Etihad Stadium match between the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, which holds special significance for him.
He started his 251-game career with the Saints 30 years ago and ended it in 1999 with one season at the Bulldogs.
The former star looks healthy, despite ongoing heart problems.
He suffered a heart attack five years ago and hopes the Bulldogs-Saints game can become an annual indigenous round match that is used to promote cardiac health.
"I'm alright - I still have ... shortness of breath every now and again and the symptoms are still hanging around," he said.
"You don't know whether it's going to happen again or not - the doctors told me it will happen again, but don't know when.
"It's just awareness, (among) the indigenous people out there in the community, to make sure they have their regular check-ups.
"With the game this week ... it would be good to have that every year in the indigenous round, so that we can (promote) with the heart foundation as well."
