Collingwood AFLW co-captain Steph Chiocci has apologised after old photos emerged of her wearing redface.
The photos show Chiocci and a friend at a themed party hosted by a local football club, dressed as Native Americans.
Chiocci had darkened her face and worn red warpaint.
As of this week the photos — which were taken in 2010 — remained on Chiocci's personal Facebook account.
"In 2010, I was a young suburban footballer. I attended a fancy-dress party in that year," Chiocci said in a statement to ABC Sport.
The practice of wearing dark make-up, feathers and warpaint in a manner that perpetuates Native American stereotypes is known as "redface".
It is considered comparable in some respects to blackface.
"I would not think to wear the same costume today," Chiocci said.
"I apologise for any and all offence."
The 32-year-old high-school teacher from Melbourne's north-east is one of the AFLW's foundation players.
She has served as Collingwood's captain since its inaugural season in 2017, playing 37 matches across five seasons.
She is highly regarded as a leader both on and off the field by the Magpies, who are standing by their skipper.
"Collingwood supports the apology offered today by Steph Chiocci," a club statement said.
Long-serving Collingwood president Eddie McGuire resigned in February amid widespread criticism for his response to an independent review into racism at the club.
The 'Do Better' report found Collingwood guilty of "distinct and egregious" systemic racism.
It also found Collingwood's response to racist incidents was "at best ineffective, or at worst exacerbated the impact of the racist incidents".
"We must all look back, learn and act with greater understanding," the club said in Thursday's statement.
"At Collingwood we support our people to do this because doing so will make us all better."
