Winmar is generally reclusive but has taken part in an SBS program focusing on his now iconic retort to racist taunts more than 20 years ago, when he lifted his St Kilda guernsey towards an abusive supporter and indicated his pride at his dark skin.

While appreciative of the work done by the AFL to stamp out racism, including when Sydney's Adam Goodes was vilified by a young teen last year, Winmar said it could make another positive step by demanding clubs sign at least four indigenous scholarship players a year and play a key role in their development and education.

He said that would increase their prospects of being drafted and, more significantly, successfully adjusting to the rigours of being a professional footballer.

Goodes is now a prominent target of booing from spectators, especially since he acted last year to have the teen ejected from the MCG. It was particularly noticeable in Sydney's grand final defeat by Hawthorn at the weekend.

While some disgruntled supporters have argued on social media and talkback radio that they have been motivated by factors other than race, such as Goodes sometimes exaggerating contact to win free-kicks, Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold said he hoped supporters refrained from booing opposition players, including Goodes.

"There's a lot of areas we can improve as a club," Newbold told SEN on Monday. "That [booing] is obviously something we can't absolutely control. I guess it's a bit about the theatre of the game but we'd obviously prefer that people didn't boo the opposition."

The episode of Living Black, shown at 5pm on Monday on SBS One and at 8pm on Tuesday on NITV, primarily focuses on Winmar's explanation of the significance of his act, which was captured by photographer Wayne Ludbey in a match against Collingwood at Victoria Park in 1993.

Winmar's coach at the Saints, Stan Alves, said the midfielder was proud of his heritage and knew something had to be done to stymie the racism he had faced for his entire career, as had many indigenous players. When Winmar started playing, it was not unusual for indigenous players to lash out in retaliation at racist taunts - sometimes leading to suspension.

Alves said Winmar's actions of lifting his jumper would "go down in history as something that was a pivotal mark in AFL football in how we treat our wonderful indigenous race".

AFL coaching great Kevin Sheedy, a renowned promoter of indigenous players, especially while at Essendon, said Winmar's stance was brave.

Sheedy's conclusion was backed up by Winmar's admission that he received death threats in response to his public stance. "It let everyone know in AFL football that I'm very proud of being an Aboriginal person and [of] the colour of my skin," he said.

Winmar said he did it on a whim after noticing that one supporter who had been delivering slurs had a young child next to him who was being exposed to his behaviour and attitude.

"I just got tired of being called a 'black so-and-so'. I think the photo speaks for itself," he said.

"I was scared. I was scared after that. I was frightened for my life and I had death threats. I walked away from the game. I didn't want to play any more. I just feared for myself and my family."

Barry Hall, a premiership spearhead for Sydney in 2005, was starting his career at St Kilda when Winmar was concluding his.

Apart from marvelling at Winmar's skill - he was the first indigenous player to reach the 200-game milestone - he said he admired Winmar's stance against racism, believing it served as a turning point in the AFL. "[It was] when things started to change."

"Guys like Nicky Winmar, [Essendon indigenous player] Michael Long have done fantastic work and really stood up when a lot of guys wouldn't," Hall said.

Winmar said St Kilda had been very supportive of his stance, as had the AFL. He said the AFL had done a great job to combat racism, and he was pleased to have been the catalyst.

"What I've done for racism in sport I'll always be proud of and I'll always be proud that I'm black and where I'm from," he said.

Winmar, who turned 49 last week, made contact with Goodes - the AFL's most prominent indigenous player - last year when he reported a young supporter for racist abuse towards him. He told Goodes, who has since been crowned Australian of the Year, to "just do what you gotta do. Go out there next time you play and let them know who you are and what you are.

"I'll always support the people who are in that situation," he said.

Besides hoping for the creation of an indigenous scholarship scheme in the AFL, on a broader scale Winmar said he was eager for the plan to officially recognise indigenous people in the Australian constitution to be completed.

Living Black, 8pm Tuesday, September 30, NITV.