Melbourne players will tape the three colours of the Aboriginal flag around their forearms this weekend in what they hope will be a strong, and eye-catching message of support for Adam Goodes.
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The AFL approved the special initiative on Friday after Demons Neville Jetta, Jeff Garlett and Jay Kennedy-Harris, took the lead internally.
The club's football department met earlier in the week to discuss ideas, and the three Indigenous players on Melbourne's list had the final say on the plan to wear red, yellow and black armbands.
Jetta emailed all Demons players and staff announcing the meaning of the move. The subject of his memo was "United".
"I just wanted to let you all know what we as players, are doing to show our support for Adam Goodes..." Jetta wrote.
"This weekend, all players who take the field in the AFL against the Pies and the VFL against Werribee, will be wearing an armband on the forearm in the colours of the Aboriginal flag.
"As players, and as a club, we want to clearly show our support for Adam Goodes during what has been a really difficult time for him and his family.
"We also want to show our support and help drive a message around educating Australian society on Indigenous culture.
"Myself, Jeffy and JKH, along with a number of other players, came up with this idea and felt it was the best way to support Adam at this time.
"We are not accepting of the current treatment of Adam and really want to rally around him as he is a role model and a champion of our great game."
The unprecedented concept conceived by the Melbourne players follows the support of Goodes that was articulated earlier this week by Demons coach Paul Roos.
In his regular Monday night pay-television slot, Roos was adamant that if Goodes considered the taunts he'd endured during games to be racist then they should be branded as such. Roos was Goodes' senior coach through nine seasons at Sydney, including the two where he won the Brownlow medal, and another – 2005 – when the Swans were premiers.
Richmond was the first AFL club to announce its players would take their support of Goodes to the field in round 18 after a week in which the code has been engulfed by a racially charged and divisive national debate that has ultimately seen Goodes take temporary leave after months of enduring booing when he plays.
The Tigers will wear the jumpers that were designed for the AFL's Indigenous round again on Friday night, for their clash against Hawthorn.
The Western Bulldogs followed Richmond's lead and their players will wear their Indigenous round guernsey on Sunday in a match against Essendon.
Ten Hawthorn players, including skipper Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli, took part in a video message, titled "Everyone Deserves Respect" that was published on the club's website on Thursday.
The 30-second piece did not mention Goodes, but asked supporters to be respectful at matches.
"At Hawthorn we have a strong belief that everyone deserves to be respected," Burgoyne says to introduce the message.
Hodge continues: "AFL embraces everyone from all cultures. So whether you're sitting in the crowd, or you're on the footy field, support your team but be respectful. And make sure you do it in the right manner."
Essendon announced on Friday afternoon it would air a video encouraging respect during Sunday's clash against the Western Bulldogs. The match has an 'embracing India' theme but is aimed at promoting inclusion and diversity generally.
The video features players including Courtenay Dempsey and Brendon Goddard, and coach James Hird. Its tag line is: respect the opposition, respect the umpires, respect each other.
"… we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour of any form," Bombers' CEO Xavier Campbell said.
"As an industry we have come a long way in recent years but the events of the last week are a reminder there is a lot more work to be done."
AFL chief Gill McLachlan wrote an open letter to fans that was published on the league's website on Friday afternoon.
"Whether you agree or not, the booing of Adam Goodes is perceived by him and many others as being racially motivated and that's hurting us all. That is all we need to know," it said.
"Adam is hurting, as are his family and close friends, and the game we love is hurting."
As it has always been, it is up to us, as supporters to respond.
"It's Australia's game and always will be and I have no doubt supporters will follow the lead of players and coaches who acknowledge Adam Goodes as one of our great champions, and a man who commands respect."
