More than three quarters of Indigenous and multicultural AFLW players who reported racism say their experiences were not dealt with properly, with male players' concerns also highlighting a troubling state of the game.
An AFL Players' Association report which examined racism in the leagues across the 2022 men's season and AFLW season seven highlighted concerning feedback regarding the prevalence and handling of the issue.
The association's first Insights and Impact report released last year revealed similar numbers in dissatisfaction from the playing group of how their experiences were handled.
The report details the opinions and perspectives of players.
Despite seeing some areas of progress in the code, AFLPA chief executive Paul marsh said "the data is also showing that our industry is grappling with a number of concerning people-based issues that are impacting the game such as transition support, gender equality, racism, health and safety, and mental health which all still require our unwavering attention".
"It's clear we, as an industry, still have a lot of work to do," he said
The latest edition, released on Tuesday, surveyed 78 Indigenous and multicultural players.
Of those, 32 per cent of the AFL players and 30 per cent of AFLW players said they had experienced racism throughout their careers, with 14 per cent having endured within the 12 months leading up to the survey.
Over the past 12 months the Hawthorn racism saga, historic claims of racism in the game and a string of fan-to-player racial incidents have surfaced in a turbulent period for football.
It sparked a range of measures by the AFL, including a policy to ban fans who are found guilty of racial incidents from attending games.
40 per cent of AFL players surveyed were not satisfied with how their experiences were dealt with once reported.
The climate in the women's league presents an even more alarming statistic, with 77 per cent feeling let down by the process.
The AFLPA said fears of making incidents of racism known presents its own issues.
"Anecdotally, many AFL and AFLW players feel threatened by potential consequences of speaking out and believe that a culture of silence pervades throughout the industry," the report reads.
"Survey data demonstrates the constraints and apprehensions players encounter when it comes to expressing their views through the media. The responses to the statement 'I feel my club allows me to express my own views in the media' resulted in a score of 6.4/10 among AFL players and 7.2/10 among AFLW players.
"These observations, reports and statistics all highlight the need for more open communication and the creation of a safe space for players to voice their concerns. Only by creating a culture of openness and accountability can we hope to create a better future for all involved in the AFL."
AFLPA has developed a Human Rights Framework and expanded its Indigenous Advisory Board following recommendation to review and refine the case management of vilification in efforts to 'embed principles of core human rights into our industry'.
Cultural awareness and training of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture has been provided by the association to 'key stakeholders', including sessions on structural racism to executives, coaches and staff at AFL/AFLPA's Indigenous and Multicultural Players' Summit in Geelong earlier this year.
A report including recommendations from the summit is expected to be delivered to relevant stakeholders.
National Indigenous Times have contacted AFLPA in regards to Aboriginal and Torres Stair Islander individuals under their Injury and Hardships Fund and the nature of their circumstances.
