Essendon legend Michael Long will be inducted as a life member of the AFL at the 2018 Annual General Meeting in March.
Long has been recognised under the provision of ‘Special Service to the Game’ based on his community leadership to Aboriginal Australia.
Known for his daring dash down the wing for the Bombers, Long has also been a leader in addressing racism in sport, including being involved in the introduction of the first racial vilification policy in Australian sport.
Long was a sensational athlete famously known for his 1993 finals series, including winning the 1993 Norm Smith Medal.
After retirement from football, Long established the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre in Darwin, providing young indigenous adults accommodation facilities, gym and education spaces to harness the power of sport for indigenous students from remote areas.
Long famously embarked on his “Long Walk” from Melbourne to Parliament House in Canberra in 2004 to raise the issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and put them back on the national agenda by meeting with Prime Minister John Howard.
Supporters from across Australia expressed their commitment to reconciliation by joining Michael Long for part of his
The Long Walk charity has since been established, holding the annual Long Walk with from Federation Square to the MCG prior to the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash between Essendon and Richmond every year.
CAREER STATISTICS
Career: 1989-2001
Games: 190
Goals: 143
EFC Premiership player: 1993 & 2000
Norm Smith Medallist: 1993
All Australian: 1995
EFC Co-captain: 1999
EFC Vice Captain: 1996 &1998-2001
Indigenous Team of the Century (Wing)
Northern Territory Team of the Century (Wing)
Australian Football Hall of Fame
