The Short Long Book tells the story of one of Australian Rules Football’s most influential figures.

When Michael Long arrived in Melbourne to play with Essendon he spent as much time in the sauna as the he did on the training track.

Few would have predicted that when this young, skinny, indigenous man did venture out in to the Melbourne winter he would spark significant change across the code and the country. 

Martin Flanagan, who has followed Long from Melbourne to Darwin and back again, writes the book.

“I’m not going to suggest Michael was the most co-operative subject I’ve ever worked with,” Flanagan said.

“Not for one moment did he pretend to be anything other than himself.

“What I heard from him and what I didn’t hear, what I saw of him and what I didn’t see - was the authentic Michael Long.”

The subject of this book played 190 games for Essendon. 

He played in two premierships and won a Norm Smith Medal.

But it was Michael Long’s actions on and after Anzac Day in 1995 that had the greatest impact on society. 

“There was a moment in history that happened with Damian (Monkhorst) and I that changed it for the better,” Long said. 

That ‘moment’ was a racial slur and Long wasn’t going to stand for it anymore. 

“This club has been an integral part of that change.

“It elevated the discussion.”

The book covers this so-called ‘Mandela moment’, Michael Long’s walk to Canberra and the unique moments shared between the author and subject.

The Short Long Book is available from the Bomber Shop.