AFL great Michael Long on the fall in number of Indigenous players

AFL legend Michael Long is pushing for a rejuvenation in the number of Indigenous players and says it’s a collective effort.

AFL great Michael Long says “we all have a role” in improving the number of Indigenous players and hopes Sir Doug Nicholls Round inspires change across the competition.

There are now only 62 Indigenous players in the competition, a 28 per cent drop across the past five years and a 19-year low.

Long, who is setting up a foundation to encourage an influx of Indigenous players, says fixing participation extends beyond just the AFL.

“I suppose there’s a lot of things the clubs can do, not just the AFL, and football is played at all different levels and countrywide and remote communities,” he said.

“I think we all have a role to play and I think we spoke to some of the clubs in Adelaide about how can we work closely with the clubs and resource the clubs.

“It’s too important, obviously we’ve seen the dip, but we want to improve that and give every kid the opportunity – boys and girls.

“We are looking at setting up a Long foundation at Windy Hill, working with the club, not just pathway but pathway programs.

“It’s something we want to see improvement on, not lowering.”

Michael Long (left) behind Essendon’s only Indigenous player in Dreamtime at the ‘G – Jade Gresham. Picture: Michael Klein

Long was one of the most exciting Indigenous players in the competition over his 190-game career at the Bombers.

Since his retirement, Long has supported Indigenous people in various ways including “The Long Walk”, which is now a Dreamtime tradition.

Long said he anticipated the fall in Indigenous participation and was working with AFL clubs to regenerate it.

“I saw it coming a few years ago with what was happening, not just on the field, but off the field,” he said.

“I suppose that’s why we announced a few weeks ago how can we support clubs, resource clubs, but also players and families.

“Nothing is perfect in this world, but we want to see it get better, we definitely do, and that’s from past players.

“This week we embrace what clubs do and the good things that happen, that’s important.

“Hopefully, from this week we can have those discussions from the AFL – you’ve got to lead from the top, it’s important we provide that pathway.”

Long fronted media at the MCG alongside this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round honoree Stephen Michael.

Originally published as AFL great Michael Long on the fall in number of Indigenous players