Territory football legend Jack Long remembered at grand Gardens Oval service
IN front of the grandstands of Gardens Oval, on a spot between the two half back flanks where hundreds had cheered him on so many times before, Jack Long has been remembered at a grand funeral service
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IN front of the grandstands of Gardens Oval, on a spot between the two half back flanks where hundreds had cheered him on so many times before, Jack Long was remembered at a grand funeral service on Friday morning.
Around 500 mourners gathered at the Gardens Oval — the spiritual home of Darwin football — to celebrate the life of Australian football’s greatest patriarch.
The Tiger Brennan and Hunter Harrison stands had filled up by 9am, and a procession of close friends and family gathered by Long’s coffin for a service which lasted two hours.
Carved into that coffin were insignias of green and gold — St Mary’s logos.
A eulogy from ex-St Mary’s coach Tony Shaw remembered Long as a generous man, a family stalwart, a cherished forefather, a great hunter who knew every inch of Tiwi country, and who would chase crocs out of dugout canoes to earn enough money to fly to Darwin to play footy for St Mary’s.
Stories of Long’s tireless work ethic and selflessness within his community defined the ceremony.
Though his greatness had far transcended his on field exploits, Long’s legacy on the field was celebrated in words and pictures.
A rugged utility who debuted for St Mary’s in 1964, and played over 200 games and won three premierships, Long was remembered as a formidable opponent with few peers as a hard, tough and skilful player throughout his career during the 1960s and 70s.
Bishop Eugene Hurley thanked God for everything Long represents, and the road he travelled.
“We understand here that football is so much more than a game,” he said.
“It’s a method of friendship — deep, abiding friendship that lasts forever.”
Mourning Long was also to celebrate a man who has become the symbol of one of the great contributions to Australian society — that is the joy that he, and so many of his relatives, have brought to families across the country through their feats on the field.
The father of Essendon premiership great and Norm Smith Medal winner Michael Long, and grandfather of four time premiership winner and Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli Jnr, St Kilda player Ben Long and Essendon player Jack Long, Long Senior leaves behind a long, and ever-replenishing, line of brilliant footballers.
His are genes which have produced sons, grandsons, granddaughters nieces and nephews with exquisite skill, unrivalled awareness, and an unfailing sense of the big occasion.
In short, he is the father of the greatest footballing family of all time.
“He was the king of the family,” said Long’s grandson Ben.
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“It’s obviously a big day for the family, but a special one.
“It’s a long legacy he’s left. He taught us everything we know to this day.
“I don’t think anyone will fill the shoes, not just for our family, but for many other families he has been a part of.”
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