Greater Western Sydney have united behind the West Coast Eagles after forward Liam Ryan was racially vilified on social media earlier this week.
As the clubs prepare for their round two clash at Optus Stadium on Saturday, the Giants used their pre-match press conference to address racist fan behaviour.
Fronting the media on Wednesday afternoon, senior coach Leon Cameron stood alongside Indigenous players Zac Williams, Jeremy Finlayson and Bobby Hill to publicise their stance against racism.
MORE: Melbourne receive clarification regarding the legality of Port Adelaide’s targeting of Max Gawn | James Hird to commentate Essendon-St Kilda match for Triple M
"Enough is enough," Cameron said.
"Not just from the Giants’ point of view but from the entire community. Whether it’s in society or the AFL. It’s gone on far too long.”
"This has crap has been going on for too long; behind the scenes, in the open, and online.
"It's really poor on people's behalf that they can keep badgering people for the wrong reasons.
"The AFL have done a really good job in creating an awareness but what we've seen - especially in the last three or four weeks - is just really disappointing.
"As a club, we've got three fine young boys behind us, it effects them greatly. And it's not just our footy club, it's the entire AFL community. We are united behind West Coast. We are united behind Liam Ryan."
We may be on opposing sides on the field on Saturday, but we're united on this.
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 26, 2019
We stand with you.#whenwillitend https://t.co/Q4SloOLUxI
After the AFL Integrity Unit identified the person who vilified Ryan on social media as a Tigers member, Richmond immediately took action and revoked them of their membership rights for two years.
They will be required to take part in an Aboriginal cultural awareness and education program before their membership ban is lifted in March 2021.
Coach Cameron praised the actions of the AFL and Richmond, believing that the no-tolerance stance will help eliminate racism in the sport.
"What they have done is absolutely fantastic," Cameron said.
"We need to call it out. It is the only way to stop it and if we all play our role in that then hopefully we can go a long way to eliminate it."
Giants half-back Zac Williams, who is proud of his Wiradjuri heritage, said that racist behaviour not only affects the individual but every Indigenous player in the competition.
"It's very disappointing coming from the broader community that racism is still a very big part of the football community," he said.
"As a group of Indigenous boys at this football club, seeing that type of stuff happen over the past week is obviously hurtful, not just to Liam but also his family. We wouldn't like to be in that position and we are behind him.
"What the AFL and Richmond have done over the past week in suspending one of their members - I think stuff like that will really go a long way in stamping out (racism) in the game. It's a really good sign."
GWS will take on the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Saturday, March 30.
