Former Bulldog Lin Jong reflects on his local footy debut with Montmorency

Ex-AFL midfielder Lin Jong talks about his transition to local footy and how he’s fitted in with his new teammates at Montmorency.

Lin Jong certainly got a true “local footy” welcome in his Montmorency debut.

A cold, rainy day and a real community pre-game warm-up greeted the former Western Bulldogs midfielder – and his new teammates at Montmorency Park – a far cry from the likes of Marvel Stadium.

However, he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“I started playing a bit late, when I was 15, so I had a few years in the local system (before I got drafted),” Jong said after his Northern Football League debut.

“We warmed up in a local school oval, so it brought me back down to earth, it was nice.

“It took me a little while to get used to (the game).

Montmorency ex-AFL recruit Lin Jong warms up pre-game.

“I haven’t played for a fair while so the contact side of things took me a little bit to get going.

“I’ll definitely be better for it, I hope it suits my game, and I’m looking forward to next week already.”

Jong was solid in his first game for the Magpies.

He showed his class in the second quarter, gathering a contested ball and lacing out full forward Patrick Fitzgerald with a pin-point 30m kick in traffic, and applying constant tackling pressure.

The star recruit’s debut was described as “workmanlike” by coach Garry Ramsay.

He was one of four big-name additions unveiled in a big win over Northcote Park.

Bulldogs 2014 and 2016 VFL premiership teammate Mitch Honeychurch has joined from Vermont, together with star ruckman Liam Buxton, while forward Danko Bzenic has returned to the Magpies from Avondale Heights.

Jong has enjoyed reconnecting with Honeychurch and feels he’s been welcomed to Montmorency in the best possible way.

Lin Jong and Mitch Honeychurch both featured in Footscray’s 2016 VFL premiership.

“(Mitch and I) had a good laugh before the game, who would have thought we’d be having a kick at local with Montmorency of all places,” Jong said.

“It’s good to have a familiar place, it can be daunting coming to a new club even coming from an AFL background.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of guys.

“They’ve been really welcoming and already taking the piss out of me, which is nice, I think it’s a good sign that you’re fitting in.”

Jong hadn’t pulled on the boots in anger since his final AFL match, Round 6 last season, when he seriously injured his hamstring.

Injuries curtailed his career, limiting the ball-winner to 65 games in 10 seasons.

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He retired from the highest level with two VFL premierships and a Norm Goss Medal, as best-on-ground in the 2016 grand final, on his resume.

He’s hoping for a bit more luck on the injury front and potentially another flag at local level.

“I’m pretty sore, I’ll be honest,” he said after the game.

“I’m hoping for some longevity throughout the season and if that means missing a game here-or-there, I feel I have that luxury now.”

Jong is expected to back up when Montmorency travels to Yulong Reserve for a blockbuster clash against Bundoora and the Bulls own ex-AFL recruit David Zaharakis.