Liam Jones struggled to find the right words to comfort Western Bulldogs teammate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan after he was subjected to vile racist attacks, but says the emerging star's strength has inspired his club and people.
Indigenous forward Ugle-Hagan took a powerful stance against racism on Thursday night, echoing former St Kilda champion Nicky Winmar's iconic gesture by lifting his jumper and pointing to his skin.
The statement came after the first of Ugle-Hagan's five goals, which propelled the Bulldogs to a much-needed win over Brisbane at Marvel Stadium.
It was a sensational response just five days after the 20-year-old was racially abused during and after the round-two loss to St Kilda at the same venue.
"It was very upsetting what happened last week," fellow Indigenous player Jones told AAP.
"But (it showed) the mental toughness of him as a person to be able to get through that and continue to show up to training.
"We're all supporting him as much as we can.
"It's a great reward for him to go out and play football and not worry about any of that other garbage because it's definitely not what we need in our game."
Jones, 32, is the most senior of three Indigenous players on the Bulldogs' list with Ugle-Hagan and teenager Arthur Jones, who made his debut against Brisbane.
The 164-game defender pledged ongoing support for Ugle-Hagan, who had Bulldogs teammates rally around him during the week.
"It's a real family club and we try to support each other as much as possible," Jones said.
"There are elements of not really knowing what to say. You just have to be there for support.
"I feel for Jamarra and it will take some time to get over it, but we will continue to support him and educate people so it doesn't happen again."
Ugle-Hagan instinctively recreated Winmar's famous pose almost 30 years to the day since the St Kilda great stood up to racist abuse from Collingwood fans at Victoria Park in April 1993.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, a former Saints teammate of Winmar's, expressed pride in Ugle-Hagan's mature response to last week's attacks and called Thursday a "special night" for the third-year forward.
"He made a statement with that gesture but also he made a significant statement with his performance," Beveridge said.
"It's a reminder of the influence that Indigenous Australians have had on Aussie Rules football and the significance of how they've driven love and passion for the game."
The AFL is investigating last week's racial abuse but is yet to identify the culprits, who St Kilda have said will no longer be welcome at their games.
The Bulldogs, Saints and AFL all condemned the "harmful and abhorrent racist remarks" made against Ugle-Hagan.
"The really disappointing circumstance that took place last week is just a reminder to us all that we've still got a long way to go," Beveridge said.
"But we're unbelievably proud of (Ugle-Hagan) and what he's been able to do tonight, and we're lucky to have him."
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan didn't know Ugle-Hagan performed the anti-racism gesture until he was told about it post-match, but said he admired the player's stance.
"I think it was a good thing to do," Fagan said.
"I didn't realise he did it, but good on him."
