During the 1970s when non-Indigenous allies were often few and far between for Australia’s First Nations people, it was a small gesture that carried huge weight for those on the receiving end.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following article may contain images of deceased persons.
As a group of Indigenous footballers from around the country sweated it out at Narrabeen Fitness Centre ahead of their trailblazing trip to New Zealand, the men were left speechless when Bob Fulton led a line of legendary rugby league players into the room to show their support for the tour.
At the time ‘Bozo’ – who was joined by fellow future immortals Graeme Langlands and Arthur Beetson, as well as Indigenous great Eric Simms and Kangaroos vice-captain Bob McCarthy – was at the peak of his powers on the field and had just helped Manly win the 1972 premiership.
The spontaneous appearance was just one example of the mercurial back's efforts to promote Indigenous culture through rugby league and later he became a vocal supporter of the Kangaroos reinstating the Indigenous war cry, which they previously performed during overseas matches between 1908-1967.
74. Bob Fulton - Hall of Fame
"I think it would be fantastic to see the Test side doing some sort of war cry," Fulton told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2015.
"I don't know why they ever stopped doing it and obviously we could go back and have a look at that, but whatever it is we need to let the stakeholders, as in the players, come up with something they as a group would all be comfortable doing."
A special Palm Island visit
Come Friday night in Townsville – almost three years on from his grandfather’s passing following a battle with cancer – Zac Fulton will get to perform the type of dance Bozo was advocating for, when he makes his debut for the Indigenous All Stars.
For Zac it will be a celebration of his Kamilaroi heritage, which comes from the Hill side of his family through mum Leanne, but also the continuation of the legacy Bob started, which Indigenous great Dean Widders says shouldn't be undersold.
"I remember at the time when Bob backed calls for the Kangaroos to bring back the dance and it was massive," Widders told NRL.com.
"Bob Fulton in Australian rugby league is legendary, royalty, someone who coached and captained Australia and is one of our best ever players, so to have that support was very powerful.
We only make up three percent of the population, so we need that support from other groups. Without that we won’t be able to pull it [equality] off.
Dean Widders
"Hopefully we can get these discussions started again [in rugby league] because I believe it is going to happen in Australian sport soon, and I don't want rugby union or another sport to beat us. Rugby league should be the first."
In addition to honouring Leanne, who is travelling to Townsville to watch his debut, Zac said he will be thinking about his grandfathers on both sides of the family come kick-off.
"I started learning [my Indigenous side] off my grandfather [on mum's side] and learning off my mum," Zac told NRL.com.
“Even though my grandfather [Bob] wasn’t Aboriginal, he was always very supportive of every opportunity that came my way and the [Indigenous] part of me.
"Every time I step on to the field I’m representing all parts of me and every part of me is good."
While the 22-year-old forward admits he doesn't know a great deal about his grandfather's support of Indigenous issues through rugby league, that's likely to change on Friday.
Four of the Townsville-based members of the 1973 Indigenous team that Bozo threw his support behind 51 years ago will be in attendance at the game and plan to track Zac down for a chat post-match.
Among them will be Francis Tappin, a proud Torres Strait Islander man who has never forgotten about the visit from Fulton and co, ahead of his teammates becoming the first Indigenous national side to venture outside of Australia later that year.
It meant a great deal to us when Bobby came to visit us at training that day with the others. These were big football stars, taking time to come and talk to us. It was phenomenal.
Francis Tappin 1973 Indigenous tour member
“I played anywhere in the backline and Bobby was playing centre or five-eighth at the time, so it was incredible to talk to him and get some advice.
“To me it reinforces that we’re all people of Australia, regardless of colour or creed or whatever. To see white people supporting us made us feel good."
Meanwhile Widders, who is in camp with the Indigenous side as an advisor, said Zac has relished the week of cultural immersion in North Queensland.
"He's a great young kid, Zac, and he's really looking forward to this game and representing his mum and his people," Widders said.
"He knows as well probably that [Bob] will be looking down watching him. The Fulton name is like royalty in rugby league and no doubt they would all be very proud of Zac stepping up and playing for his people.
"To play football at the highest level is special, but to play for your people is one of the best things, and that's what it is for Zac."
