Essendon champion Michael Long today announced that he is retiring from AFL football. Long, who played 190 games for the Bombers, made the announcement at a press conference held in the Windy Hill Hall of Fame this morning. Long was flanked by Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson and senior coach Kevin Sheedy at the press conference. Long made his debut for the Bombers in 1989 and played in the 1993 and 2000 premiership sides. A knee injury dogged him for much of 2001 before a torn hamstring tragically ended his season just three days before the Grand Final. A ""Michael Long Fact File"" is attached. Engine Room members can watch videos of today's press conference throughout this week with full transcripts attached.

MICHAEL LONG FACT FILE

Age: 32
Recruited from: St Marys (Northern Territory)
Games: 190
Goals: 143
Runner-up EFC Best and Fairest: 1995
Third EFC Best and Fairest: 1999
Premiership Sides: 1993, 2000
Norm Smith Medallist: 1993
All Australian: 1995
Pre-season Premiership sides: 1990, 1993
Finals Matches: 20 (16 goals)
Grand Finals: 3 (1990, 1993, 2000)
Pre-season matches: 15 (10 goals)
State of Origin (NT/Qld) matches: 4 (7 goals)
Career Brownlow Medal Votes: 58