Michael Long is one of the most exciting players playing the game today. He has incredible pace, a body made out of elastic (hence he is sometimes called the rubber man) and unbelieveable skills by hand and foot. He came to the club in 1989 and immediately made an impact, being named the Best First Year Player in that year. He wore number 4 originally, but asked to have number 13 to honour his father (I guess 13 is lucky for some!). The highlight for Long came in the 1993 finals series. He played outstanding football throughout the finals and capped it off winning the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground in the Grand Final. Not long after the highlight came the lowlight, in the following pre-season (1994) he suffered that chronic injury footy players dread - the knee injury. It sidelined him for the whole year, a disaster after he had played so well in the '93 finals. When he made his return in Round 1 1995, all the football world stood up and took notice. He was arguably the best on ground, and he didn't look like a player who had just spent a year out of football. His form continued throughout last year, indicated by his 16 votes in the Brownlow, the most by any Essendon player. It included five best on ground performances, more than any other player in the competition! During 1995 he made headlines by accusing Damien Monkhorst of racially abusing him. The other aboriginal players in the AFL backed Michael, as did Essendon. This was a brave move by Michael, and one which must be applauded. He was named co-vice-captain with James Hird this year, a just reward for his leadership on and off the field in recent times. However disaster struck again this year, with another serious knee injury. He had trouble early with injury, and when he returned to play in the centenary re-enactment game against Geelong, his knee collapsed. For one of the best players in the league, this is an absolute tragedy. Hopefully he will be right to complete a full pre-season and be ready to make another brilliant return in 1997
[Last updated: Round 14, 1996]
Achievements: 1995 equal Brownlow Medal runner-up, 1993 Norm Smith medal, West Torrens best and fairest 1988, Essendon premiership side 1993, Essendon night premiership side 1990,93.
Previous PlayerNext PlayerReturn to Player Listing
Next Player