Essendon legend Michael Long fought back tears as he delivered a stirring pre-match address to the Bombers players before their Dreamtime at the 'G showdown with Richmond.
The Indigenous icon was invited into the Essendon rooms on Friday night to speak to his former club about the significance of Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round and the role the Bombers have played in it.
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. Obviously Indigenous round, and I love this club," Long said, before pausing as he choked back tears. "What it's done. Norm McDonald, one of our greatest players, first Aboriginal player, played with the great Dickie Reynolds.
"Kevin Sheedy drafted me, Derek Kickett, coaches like David Wheadon who were there, part of that journey, what this club has done.
"1995, pushed with the racial vilification, changed the game for people, Indigenous people, all cultures. The Essendon Football Club.
"That's why I love this club. That's why I always come back. Because it gave me an opportunity. It gave players the opportunity.
"Kevin Sheedy, Dreamtime, Richmond Football Club, Terry Wallace."
Sheedy, who coached the Bombers for a record 27 years between 1981 and 2007, is credited as the pioneer of the Dreamtime at the 'G game. Since its inception in 2005, Long has been a major part of the event, leading The Long Walk from Federation Square to the MCG. The walk grew out of Long's original 650km walk from Melbourne to Canberra in 2004 to raise awareness of Indigenous issues.
"This club stands for a lot in the Aboriginal community, and in non-Indigenous. But we work together," Long said on Friday night. "You represent us tonight. I want to see the Essendon spirit.
"The culture of this club is a great club because of great people Dickie Reynolds, Bomber Thompson, Gavin Wanganeen. That's why I love this club."
Essendon have had a disastrous start to the season, having won just one of their first 10 games. It is a barren period that stretches back to Round 9 last year, after which they did not win a game for the remainder of the season.
"I want to see the Essendon spirit tonight, representing that tonight," Long told the players. "Can I see the spirit tonight? Well, show me. Show us. Show this club. Let's lift this club.
"It's just in the back of your mind, the history and what we've done. Just keep it in the back of your mind, because we are a big part of what we've changed as a nation, for the better.
"So let's lead, let's lift, let's bring back that Essendon spirit. Are you with me? Are you with me? Let's go. Thank you."
