NRL: Don't stand for national anthem say indigenous greats

Former indigenous stars have reportedly called for current NRL players to "take a stance" and protest during the national anthem at the grand final.

Indigenous greats Larry Corowa and Joe Williams have allegedly called for players to not stand during the playing of Advance Australia Fair to send a "powerful message" against racism.

The rally cry follows the current discord sweeping through US sports after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat down for the playing of the American anthem – The Star-Spangled Banner – before a pre-season game in the NFL.  

Former player Joe Williams believes the protest would send a "powerful message". (AAP)

"I applaud Kaepernick for what he has done and I know he’s copped a lot of flak for it," Williams told Rugby League Week.

“Imagine if a couple of guys did it on grand final day – what a powerful message it would send to white Australia.

“It would bring all the racism that’s in the closet to the surface – the racism we have to put up with every day.

“It’s time it stopped. And our footballers are role models and the ideal ones to bring about change."

Williams, who staged his own protest when he was awarded Citizen of the Year on Australia Day, was joined by one of the game's great Indigenous players - Corowa.

The Tigers legend, who was awarded an MBE in 1980, called on reigning Dally M winner Johnathon Thurston to lead the charge.

Tigers legend Larry Corowa wants to see Johnathan Thurston lead the charge against racism. (AAP)

“It’s time to send a powerful message to our government, which has not been effective enough in closing the gap between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people,” Corowa said.

“And all it would take is one player to do it on grand final day.

“Imagine if someone with the respect of Johnathan Thurston did it – what a powerful statement that would make.”