Michael Long says he’s ‘amazed’ by the progress of second year Bomber, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

Long and McDonald-Tipungwuti grew up on the Tiwi Islands, before making their names in Melbourne.

Long played 190 games for the Bombers and picked up two premiership medals and a Norm Smith medal along the way.

McDonald-Tipungwuti is just 30 games into his AFL career.

“He’s been fantastic. It hasn’t been an easy road and he’s done the hard work,” Long said.

“He came from the Tiwi Islands and went to school down here. He’s made his own pathway, the hard work pays off.

“He comes from a rich country of football, Maurice [Rioli], Junior Boy [Cyril] Rioli, myself – there have been a lot of players come from there.

“No doubt he has made the McDonald-Tipungwuti family proud. He comes from a long line of great football pedigree.

“I’m amazed at what he’s done and how he’s changed the dynamics of the team with his pressure and run.”

Long returned to Essendon headquarters ahead of the 13^th annual Dreamtime at the ‘G clash.

“It continues to grow, what it’s done for the community, especially how the game has opened up opportunity and paved the way,” he said.

“The Indigenous round and the celebration of this weekend, that’s all a part of how the game has led the way in a lot of ways.

“In terms of changing what’s happened on our field and into the Grandstands - the players have done that and the football clubs have done that.

“They have to be congratulated. More so they continue to do it.

“When Richmond and Essendon are playing well, no doubts the crowd come out to watch the game.

“Obviously people from the local communities and all over Australia come to watch this game.”

Thousands of people are expected to take part in the Long Walk to the MCG on Saturday.

Despite the show of support throughout the community, Long said there is still a lot of work to be done.

“As the game grows and develops, I think it will grow with it – the awareness and social awareness,” Long said.

“I think people are generally more socially aware. We’ve had incidents in the grandstands but people have put their hand up and said that’s not acceptable.

“This is football and a great game of ours, lets protect it for what it is – the love and the passion.

“We are all passionate about our team but I think there is also that respect amongst our supporters that have come a long way. 

“We all make mistakes and we learn by that, and clubs reinforce that and players reinforce that.

“It would be great if we lived in a perfect world but we don’t and I think rounds like this weekend do make a difference.”