Former AFL star Gavin Wanganeen has opened up about the devastating impact of racial abuse, admitting he was shocked by how prevalent it was when he first joined Essendon.

The 1993 Brownlow medallist joined 3AW’s Footy: Then and Now podcast in Sir Doug Nicholls round.

He said while awareness about racism and behaviour had undoubtedly improved, there was still work to be done.

“It did cut deep, it really did,” Wanganeen said.

Footy: Then and Now’ is a weekly podcast that gets you excited for the weekend ahead by revisiting famous VFL/AFL moments with the people who shaped them. Follow/Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Google Podcasts

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