Essendon Football Club has delisted injury-plagued defender Anthony Long this week ahead of today’s list lodgement deadline.

Long failed to play a senior game after being drafted to the club via selection 33 in the 2009 AFL draft after being struck down by a series of injuries.

Essendon general manager of football Paul Hamilton thanked Long for his efforts over the past two years.

“Unfortunately Anthony has been really unlucky in terms of his injuries over his time at the club but we wish to thank him for his contributions and wish him every success for the future,” Hamilton said.

There have been four changes to the primary list in preparation for next week’s AFL national draft following the delisting of Long and retirements of Mark Williams, Andrew Welsh and Darcy Daniher.