EDDIE McGuire will learn and move on from his infamous Adam Goodes gaffe, says AFL great Robert DiPierdomenico, who has also undergone an education program for racial vilification.

The AFL Hall of Fame inductee better known as "Dipper" completed a six-week program in 2010 visiting indigenous communities after making a racist comment about former Essendon and Port Adelaide great Gavin Wanganeen while speaking at a public function.

McGuire will also undergo an education program as the AFL deals with him under its racial vilification policy - however, it could be as short as one session.


DiPierdomenico stood by the character of McGuire on Wednesday, saying he didn't believe the Collingwood president meant it when he suggested on radio that Swans star Goodes should be used to promote the King Kong musical just days after a Magpies fan called him an "ape".

"When you work in the media, when you work in corporate, you say a lot of words and sometimes they just slip out," DiPierdomenico said.

"But that's the way it is and you put your hand up and you learn from it. I've learnt so much from it for myself."

He said he still believed McGuire was a wonderful asset for both the game and Collingwood.

"Just the amount of work he does in indigenous communities and charities," he said.

"If it was something that he stood there and said it, and meant it, you'd think, 'well, you know'.

"But I think he's ticked that box and will move on from that."