Nicky Winmar has admitted he is disappointed that the 30th anniversary of his iconic Victoria Park stance against racism has been overshadowed by the upcoming Gather Round.

St Kilda will take on Collingwood on Sunday, March 16 at Adelaide Oval as part of a Gather Round double-header, the day before the 30th anniversary of Winmar's stand after facing racist abuse from the Victoria Park crowd.

Winmar's gesture ignited a national discussion on racism that has endured years after his retirement, with Winmar inducted into the Australian Football League's Hall of Fame in 2022.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Winmar revealed that he thought the league had missed an opportunity to celebrate the anniversary, feeling that it should have been held in Melbourne or his home-town of Perth.

โ€œIt's a missed opportunity. It has been forgotten,โ€ Winmar said.

โ€œWe lost the 1997 Grand Final against Adelaide. Why would I want to go over there? My dad died the night before the Grand Final. What would I want to celebrate something over in Adelaide for? If it's not in Melbourne why don't they put it in West Australia? There would be a bigger crowd there than Adelaide? They would have 30,000 of my family members. It would have been nice to have the game back in Perth.โ€

Despite the game being held in South Australia, the AFL is reportedly working on plans to fly Winmar to the Sunday afternoon game, with other former players also reportedly set to be in attendance.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Nicky Winmar poses with his statue during the Nicky Winmar statue unveiling at Optus Stadium on July 06, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Winmar's stance against racism has been immortalised in a statue outside of Perth's Optus Stadium, revealed in 2019. Approaching 30 years since the game against Collingwood, Winmar said he holds no ill feelings towards the Pies players on the field that day, admitting that he would want them to be part of the anniversary.

โ€œIt was an amazing day, I have got nothing against the Collingwood players, just the crowd itself,โ€ Winmar said.

โ€œIt would be good (to be involved in a commemoration ceremony). Even if some of the Collingwood players were there to be part of it, it would be great. It is for everyone, not just ourselves. Black or white or red. Just for the people of the country and the Wurundjeri people and the other Aboriginal people around the Victorian community.โ€