They were raised on opposite ends of the nation, but their dream is the same.
Michaela Long and Georgia Patrikios want to play for Essendon in the AFLW.
Their dream is one step closer with the Club launching its bid for a spot in the newly formed competition in 2019.
For Long, football is a way of life. She has seen her brother Jake make his debut for the Bombers and still watches highlights of her father Michael.
“It’s a really strong family pedigree and really tight knit,” she said.
“Everyone backs each other in, especially in a footy sense and we all love it.”
Patrikios has grown up in the north-west of Melbourne, just a short drive from Essendon's training base. She was winning best and fairests from an early age in mixed teams and loves the contested side of the game.
“I’ve been playing footy since I was young with my brother at the park,” she said.
“I wanted to join in with the boys and the girls because I was good at it.”
Long had the opportunity to play in the first season of the AFLW but decided to wait until the Bombers had their own team
“Essendon Football Club is the be all and end all for me, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said.
“I looked at GWS and the only reason why was because of John Quinn (former Essendon fitness Coach). He’s there and he was at the Bombers. I remember him when I was young working with Dad.
“I looked at Geelong … going to play VFL with them but I just thought I’m happy to wait for as long as it takes just to get a gig here at Essendon.”
A key component of the Bombers push for a license is the Club’s continuing commitment to growing and developing pathways in remote Northern Territory communities – Tiwi Islands and Maningrida.
If successful, Essendon will stage the first ever AFLW game in a remote Northern Territory community.
“The great work that has been done on the Tiwi Islands with our community programs are second to none,” Michael Long said.
“We want to build on that and what a great opportunity for the Club to take it even further with having the next AFL women’s team in the next two years.”
Michaela Long (left) and Georgia Patrikios (right) with Essendon Coach John Worsfold.
