The iconic image of St Kilda champion Nick Winmar lifting his jumper and pointing to his skin could become a landmark at Optus Stadium before the end of this year’s AFL season as a giant statue of him nears completion.

The statue is the work of Melbourne sculptor Louis Laumen and is almost ready for bronze casting.

The West Australian understands that the AFL is responsible for the bulk of the funding for the project and has considered several sites but Winmar, a WA born-and-bred Noongar, would like the statue placed in Perth at the stadium.

Victoria Park, where Winmar played the day he struck the pose, the club he played for St Kilda and the MCG are other possible sites but it is understood all have significant issues.

Winmar pointed to his skin after he and fellow indigenous player Gilbert McAdam had been the subject of racial abuse from Collingwood supporters during a round four game in 1993.

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Inspired by brilliant performances by Winmar and McAdam, the Saints came from eight points down at half-time to win by 22 points.

Winmar had 25 disposals, laid seven tackles and kicked a goal.

Camera Icon Nicky Winmar raises his jumper. Credit: Fairfax

McAdam kicked five goals from 21 disposals.

Winmar’s defiant gesture to Magpie fans after the final siren became a landmark moment in AFL football and helped trigger new rules stamping out racial vilification by players towards indigenous footballers.

Laumen said the clay model for the bronze cast was almost finished.

“We are talking about a piece that is one and a half times life size,” he said.

“That is going to be another couple of weeks before that is completed and then we have to complete a bronze cast.

“This a job that I want to get right.

“There is a lot riding on this. It is a lot more than just a football subject. It ranges beyond an ordinary image of a champion.

“When the AFL decided to fund it, it was one of their ideas to bring it to Perth because Nicky comes from over there.”

“I started by making a scale-model version of it about 3ft high.

“I presented that to Nicky and the AFL and when they approved that model, I got started on doing the full-scale version.”