The importance of the work Richmond does in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is further underlined by a documentary that traces the final years of Adam Goodes’ AFL career, according to Richmond CEO Brendon Gale.
Players, coaches, directors and staff gathered last week to watch a pre-screening of The Final Quarter documentary which traces Goodes’ tumultuous departure from the game.
“To watch the documentary together with a mix of people from across the Club was very important. We all reflected on what happened at the time and quite rightly asked ourselves if there was more we could have done,” Gale said.
“It strengthens our Club’s resolve to continue the work we do furthering reconciliation and empowering young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to shape their own futures.
“It underlines the importance of the partnerships we have built and the guidance they provide us. It all helps shape the country we want to live in.”
Richmond was the first Club to respond in support of Goodes in 2015, wearing that season’s Dreamtime Guernsey against Hawthorn in its Round 18 clash at the MCG.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said at the time how disappointed he was to see one of the game’s greats forced out.
“The fact of the matter is it’s bullying at best and racism at its worst,” Hardwick said in 2015.
“From our situation we just wanted to throw our support (behind him). It’s not something the AFL community wants to see, one of the greats of our game not playing because of this impact.”
Gale said he hoped the documentary would lead to a meaningful change in attitudes.
“Ultimately words are meaningless if they don’t lead to actions that drive change. We are in a privileged position given the programming we run and the relationships we have built,” Gale said.
“We don’t take that for granted or the responsibility that comes with it. We owe that to the young people we work with and role models like Adam that continue to inspire us.”
The entirely archival documentary premieres at the Sydney Film Festival tonight and will be broadcasted to all Australian’s later this year.
The Club encourages all members and supporters to watch the film when available.
