Michael Long (footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael LongOAM |
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Long on The Long Walk in 2014
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael Long | ||
| Date of birth | 1 October 1969 | ||
| Place of birth | Tiwi Islands | ||
| Original team | St Mary's/West Torrens | ||
| Draft | No. 23., 1988 national draft | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Michael Long (born October 1, 1969) is a famous former Australian rules football player. He is of Aboriginal descent. After his football career, he became a strong voice for Indigenous rights. He also spoke out against racism in sport in Australia.
Long won two championships with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He even won the Norm Smith Medal for being the best player in the 1993 grand final. As an activist, he helped create a rule against racial vilification in the AFL in 1995. He also inspired "The Long Walk," which remembers the Stolen Generations. This walk is now a big tradition in the AFL. In August 2023, Long walked 650 kilometers from Melbourne to Canberra. He did this to support the Australian Indigenous Voice referendum. He finished the walk in 20 days, arriving in Canberra on September 14, 2023.
Contents
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Michael Long was born on October 1, 1969. His mother, Agnes, and father, Jack, were both taken from their families when they were young. They were brought to Melville Island in the Tiwi Islands. Michael grew up on the Tiwi Islands.
Starting His Career in Darwin
Long moved to Darwin to play football for St Mary's. He helped them win several championships. In 1988, he played for the Northern Territory team. His great playing made many top clubs want him, including Essendon.
Long was chosen by Essendon in the 1988 VFL draft. However, another club, West Torrens, said he had a contract with them. After some discussion, it was clear Long wanted to play for Essendon. West Torrens agreed that their contract was not binding. Long did play for West Torrens in 1988 and won their best player award.
Playing in the AFL
Michael Long played some of his best football in the 1993 AFL grand final. He played amazingly well, helping Essendon get a big lead early on. By the end of the game, he had 33 possessions (kicks and handballs). Long won the Norm Smith Medal for his outstanding performance. This award was given to him by Maurice Rioli, another player from the Tiwi Islands.
Overcoming Injuries
In 1994, Long hurt his knee and needed a year to recover. He missed the whole 1994 season. In 1995, he made a strong comeback and played almost a full season. During a special game on Anzac Day in 1995, something happened that changed the game forever.
For the next two years, Long had more knee surgery. He only played seven games. He missed the first half of 1998 while recovering. From 1994 to 1998, Long played only 38 out of 119 possible games.
AFL Success and Challenges
In 2000, Long kicked the very first goal at the new Docklands Stadium. He was also part of Essendon's amazing championship team in 2000. That year, they only lost one game all season. Long was suspended for a bump on another player, Troy Simmonds. This incident led the AFL to create new rules to protect players.
The 2001 season was Long's last. Essendon made it to the grand final again. But Long hurt his hamstring just before the game. He could not play, and Essendon lost the final.
Fighting Racism in Football
In the 1995 Anzac Day game, Long reported that a player from Collingwood, Damian Monkhorst, had said racist things to him. The AFL arranged a meeting between Long and Monkhorst. This event led to the AFL creating a new rule against racial abuse on the field. This rule made players responsible for racist actions.
An AFL investigation after the incident showed that racism was a problem. Since then, there have been very few public accusations of racism by players on the field. However, racist comments from fans have continued to be an issue. Twenty years later, in 2015, Monkhorst and Long met and shook hands. Long said Monkhorst had shown great leadership since then.
In 1997, another player, Peter "Spida" Everitt, reportedly said racist things to Long. Two years later, Everitt racially abused another player, Scott Chisholm. Everitt had to go through a training program about racial awareness. He also donated money to a charity chosen by Chisholm.
Life After Football: Activism
After retiring from football, Michael Long became a spokesperson for Indigenous Australians. He spoke out about issues facing Indigenous people. He wanted the government to apologize to the Stolen Generations.
The First Long Walk
Long's activism led to a protest walk from Melbourne to Canberra. He started on November 21, 2004. His goal was to meet with the Prime Minister. After ten days, the Prime Minister agreed to meet him. Long then ended his walk, having completed about half of the planned 650 kilometers. He later said he wanted to make a change. He wanted to challenge the government on issues like education, jobs, health, housing, and the Stolen Generations.
This walk became known as "The Long Walk." Every year, a community walk takes place in Melbourne. Thousands of people join the event. The walk happens in late May or early June before the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match. It starts at Federation Square and ends at the MCG. Long is a patron of The Long Walk organization. This group works to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous Australians.
The Second Long Walk
In August 2023, Long began another 650-kilometer walk. This time, he walked from Melbourne to Canberra to support the Australian Indigenous Voice referendum. He finished the walk in 20 days, arriving at Parliament House in Canberra on September 14. He said he felt a lot of support from people he met along the way.
Other Activities and Recognition
In 2011, Long became an ambassador for a weight-loss agency. He did this partly to highlight Indigenous health.
In 2015, he joined the board of the Michael Long Foundation (MLF). In 2016, the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre (MLLLC) opened in Darwin. The MLF helps fund education and football programs for Indigenous people. The MLLLC helps develop talent and improve lives in Indigenous communities.
Awards and Honours
In 2002, an Essendon panel ranked Long as number 23 on their list of the 25 greatest players for the club.
Long received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2021. This award was for his service to Australian rules football and the Indigenous community. He also received the 2025 NAIDOC lifetime achievement award.
Personal Life
Michael Long is known for his quick wit. His former coach, Kevin Sheedy, once told a story about Long. During a fundraiser, Sheedy was giving a serious training session. Long, who rarely spoke up, raised his hand. He asked, "What was wrong with the blackboard?" This made everyone laugh.
In 2018, Long was treated for a serious infectious disease called melioidosis in Darwin. Despite this, he continued his work and announced plans for a second Long Walk. He was honored at the Sir Doug Nicholls Round in May 2019.
Honours and Achievements
Team
- 2× AFL premiership player (Essendon): 1993, 2000
- 5× McClelland Trophy (Essendon): 1989, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2001
- 2× NTFL premiership player (St Mary's): 1986–1987, 1987–1988
Individual
- Norm Smith Medal: 1993
- Essendon Captain: 1999
- 2× All-Australian team: 1988, 1995
- State of Origin (Northern Territory): 1988
- State of Origin (QLD/NT): 1993
- Essendon Team of the Century 1896-1997 – Wing
- Australian Football League Indigenous Team of the Century 1904-2003 – Wing
- Northern Territory Team of the Century – Wing
- Australian Football Hall of Fame - 2007 Inductee
- West Torrens Football Club – Best & Fairest: 1988
