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Fan abuse Sydney's Adam Goodes, mars AFL's Dreamtime match

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A racial taunt from a Collingwood fan marred the start of the AFL's Indigenous Round at the MCG last night as Sydney thumped the Magpies by 47 points. Sydney's Adam Goodes kicked three goals and gathered 30 possessions but was visibly distressed when the young female fan abused him. Collingwood president Eddie McGuire later went to the Swans' changerooms to apologise on behalf of the club and the AFL is investigating. Today, Port Adelaide host Geelong, Greater Western Sydney take on West Coast, St Kilda play Western Bulldogs, Richmond host Essendon at the MCG in the annual Dreamtime clash and Brisbane welcome Carlton. SWANS champion Adam Goodes says he is "gutted" and couldn't celebrate Sydney's win last night after a 13-year-old girl called him an ape. At a press conference this morning Goodes said the comment in the final quarter had left him devastated after Sydney's 47-point win over Collingwood. "To hear a 13-year-old girl call me an ape ... it was shattering," Goodes said. Goodes later revealed the girl had called him to apologise. He tweeted: "Just received a phone call from a young girl apologizing for her actions. Lets support her please #racismitstopswithme #IndigenousRound." "Racism has a face. It's a 13-year-old girl." The girl told Channel 10 news she was sorry. "I didn't mean it in a racist way and I'm sorry to the club and the AFL," she said. Goodes, one of the sport's most decorated indigenous players, stopped play to point out the girl to security staff following the offensive comment and she was later escorted from the ground by security staff. Goodes said the fan's offensive remarks had shocked him. "I was just like, really? Wow could that happen?" "I don't know if it's the lowest point in my career, but personally I've never been more hurt. AFL's Indigenous stars shine "It felt like I was in high school again being bullied. I don't think I've ever been more hurt by someone calling me a name. Not just by what was said, by who it came from." AFL Community Engagement officer Jason Mifsud said he didn't believe there had been a spike in incidents. " I just think they are by and large crowd-related incidents, they become more public and the reporting on them seems to be more frequent," he said today. Goodes left the field immediately after the siren and was in the rooms for several minutes while teammates celebrated on the field. Channel Seven commentator Matthew Richardson said Goodes seemed close to tears. McGuire said he was disgusted by the incident. Were you in the front row at the footy when this happened? Do you know the spectator, or witnessed the incident? Email the Herald Sun: news@heraldsun.com.au or phone our newsdesk on 03 9292 1226 "I wanted to apologise to Adam on behalf of football in general and ask that he would accept our apologies. He was gracious enough to know that it was a one-off person," McGuire told the Herald Sun. "I said 'we won't stand for this, we have a zero tolerance'. He's been such a wonderful leader in this great week in our football code. Magpies must address workrate "I just wanted to go in there, look him in the eye and offer him those apologies and he was good enough to shake my hand and show what a great person he is." McGuire backed Goodes' on-field stance, which mirrored that of Magpie Dale Thomas two years ago when he pointed out a Collingwood fan in the crowd who racially vilified Gold Coast's Joel Wilkinson. McGuire said the fan was being dealt with by police, but could not say whether further penalties would be applied by Collingwood. "We're not CSI Collingwood, so that's not our go,'' he said. "The police have got her. I think Adam ... has found out it was a young girl so I don't think he's going to go after her. "All we can say is the Swans are a great side tonight, they flogged us on the field and then for that to happen really devastates you.'' for more videos http://www.youtube.com/user/swenbox please subscribe