Michael Long honoured at NAIDOC, 30 years after blowing the whistle about on field racism

A prominent Territorian who changed Australian sport forever has been honoured.

Thirty years since being thrust on the national stage for unwanted comments made by somebody else, Darwin’s Michael Long has been awarded for the part he played changing the face of Australian sport forever.

The two-time AFL premiership winner, who had caught the nation’s eye with his best on ground performance in the 1993 Essendon-Carlton grand final, was again thrust onto the national stage when he revealed he’d been racially abused by Collingwood ruckman Damian Monkhurst during the 1995 Anzac Day clash.

The revelation and aftermath forced significant change in how the AFL treated vilification and sent a very clear message to footballers – and sportspeople of all kinds – that what was said on the sporting field no longer stayed on the sporting field.

1988. Darwin footballer Michael Long.

Members of Mr Long’s family were in Perth on Saturday night to watch him receive a NAIDOC lifetime achievement award, which comes on the 30th anniversary of his decision to call-out on field racism.

The NAIDOC citation said the proud Anmatjere and Marranunggu man was born and raised in Darwin and a descendant of Stolen Generation parents.

“In 1995, Michael made history by being the first AFL player to formally lodge a complaint after being racially vilified during a game,” NAIDOC’s citation said.

“He refused to stay silent. His stand sparked widespread public debate and directly led to the introduction of the AFL’s racial vilification code.”

The citation also mentions the 2004 Long Walk, which saw him trek from Melbourne to Canberra to discuss Aboriginal reconciliation with Prime Minister John Howard.

“His leadership is rooted in humility, cultural strength, and unwavering commitment. He builds bridges where others see barriers. He walks alongside his people, not ahead of them. And he reminds all Australians that reconciliation is a journey we must take together.”

Michael Long in action against Richmond at Windy Hill in 1989.

Speaking to the NT News, Mr Long said his parents Jack and Agnes and Kevin Sheedy had been the major contributors to his life, with his family, St Marys and Essendon football clubs also making major contributions.

The third-youngest of nine siblings and one of the seven Long brothers to play for St Marys, the family has accumulated an NT record 44 premierships at the green and gold between them.

Another of his proudest achievements was development of the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre concept and its imminent spread into Victoria, with work being done to incorporate the concept into a new premises at Essendon’s old Windy Hill home-ground.

Michael Long meets Anthony Albanese in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“This is a pretty prestigious award to be bestowed upon you and you don’t get anywhere without your family,” Mr Long said.

“My mum and dad were taken away as young kids and put on the Tiwi Islands Catholic mission.

“Mum’s Daly River and Dad’s from Ti Tree. They were taken to the Tiwis as young children and never ever saw their parents again. Mum and dad were adopted by a lot of the families of the Tiwi people, so all we knew growing up as kids were Tiwi families.

“Footy and sport’s been a big part of our life from the day dot. Dad coached and played footy and rugby, coached St Mary’s and as mothers did in that time, they did everything in the background with the jumpers and the club.”

The backyard of his family’s Anula home was also a great training ground for sport and life, as he competed for spoils with his siblings.

“You’ve got to pick your moment,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the legacy of my mother and father and also for what the game and Essendon Football Club gave me to play at that level.”

Originally published as Michael Long honoured at NAIDOC, 30 years after blowing the whistle about on field racism