Australian and footballing royalty gathered at Crown Palladium on Thursday to celebrate at the inaugural edition of The Long Lunch.
While Michael Long sadly couldn’t be in attendance, it failed to dampen the spirit of the occasion with outstanding performances and speeches adding to what has become one of the league’s greatest weeks.
Spinifex Gum, featuring the harmonies of Cairns-based choir Marliya, provided a stirring performance to open the lunch, while Christine Anu closed it in style.
The Cat Empire member and brainchild of Spinifex Gum Felix Riebl said he was thrilled for the young girls of the choir to perform once again at Dreamtime at the G on Saturday night.
“I’m very excited for these young women to be on such a big stage,” Riebl said.
“To have that collection of voices singing something, there’s a real strength in numbers and they can carry what a lot of us, individually, can’t.
“I’m just so proud of where they’ve come (from) and what they’ve been able to achieve with this, so I’m just excited to watch them from the side.
“I think music’s a wonderful thing, because it’s like sport – something that a lot of people identify with and is part of their everyday.”
Many former stars joined the festivities on Thursday including ex-Bomber Che Cockatoo-Collins, who lauded the absent Long and said all of the Bombers and Tigers should feel like an important part of the community.
“Michael’s certainly put on a show even though he’s not here today,” Cockatoo-Collins said.
“It’s a beautiful gathering today and a pretty special moment for the AFL and the rest of the Australian public.”
“I think what the players must understand is that even though they may not have an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, when these games are played we feel like they’re a part of the family.”
Sydney legend Michael O’Loughlin echoed Cockatoo-Collins’ sentiments in praising Long.
“(It is an) inspirational day celebrating one of the all-time great people that I’ve met in my lifetime, Michael Long,” O’Loughlin said.
“I’ve been a part of The Long Walk a couple of times now and to come to the lunch here on a Thursday has been absolutely brilliant.
“I was just talking to someone outside before about the sense of pride and seeing a lot of familiar faces in the room and Longy’s one of those guys that just brings people together
“He’s an inspirational person, I wish he was here and I’m wishing him all the best and hopefully his health his okay and I look forward to catching up with him at some stage.”
Fans are encouraged to be seated by 6:30pm at Dreamtime at the ‘G to ensure not to miss the outstanding pre-game cultural performances.
