The Cairns Post

Long to rekindle footy memories in Alice

Steve Menzies

06May08

FOOTBALL legend Michael Long will rekindle memories of his young playing days in Alice Springs when he returns to Traeger Park next month.

He and other AFL players, including Matt Campbell, are going back to their roots to celebrate Community Football Weekend on May 9-11.

The AFL are hoping more than two million people around Australia will go to watch games in their communities to help in the Australian Football 150 Years celebrations.

Long, who won the Everingham Medal as best on ground in the 1987 Grand Final, still remembers the characters he played with and against in Alice Springs before joining Essendon in 1989.

He also rates his return visits for the game against Adelaide in 1997 among his career highlights.

Long said: ``The grass roots football in the communities is where it all starts.

``It moulds you into who you are no matter how far you go in football.

``I was lucky to play with successful clubs in Pioneer and St Marys before going on to play in the AFL.

``There was so much I learnt from the players in those teams that I took to Essendon.

``Grass roots football is so important, as not everyone gets to go on to the top level.

``The culture and history is important as football is not only about the current AFL players.

``The future of this great game will always be with the wider community.''

Long, who was born in Darwin but considers himself more as a desert Aboriginal due to his family links to Ti Tree, said it was great to hear of Liam Jurrah from Yuendumu signing with Collingwood.

He said it was a ``huge, huge step'' for anyone from the remote areas to move straight into the football cauldron of Melbourne.

But he said it was important for more people from the remote areas to make the move to be role models for the future.

Long said: ``The new NT side will be another step in this direction as it will find a lot more kids with ability.

``It is not only about football. It is all about the opportunities in life that can be opened up.''

Long's coach throughout his career at Essendon, Kevin Sheedy, is the 150 Years Ambassador.

Sheedy said football enthusiasts around the country were being encouraged to visit their original community clubs.

He said: ``Community football is the heart and soul of our game.

``In 2007 more than 600,000 people played Australian Rules Football and many more coached, umpired, officiated, volunteered and supported our game at all levels.

``This year is an opportunity to say thank you to those clubs and the club officials who have been vital in shaping the evolution of our great game.''

There are no AFL matches scheduled for the May 9-11 weekend. There is the Hall Of Fame tribute match on the Saturday evening.