Michael Long OAM (born (1969-10-01)1 October 1969) is a former Australian rules footballer of Aboriginal descent who became a spokesperson for Indigenous rights and against racism in sport in Australia.

In August 2023, Long began a 650-kilometre (400 mi) walk between Melbourne and Canberra in support of the forthcoming Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.

In 1988, he represented the Northern Territory at the Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival in March, and his outstanding performances in the dominant NT team saw enormous interest in his recruitment from various first-class clubs throughout the country, including Essendon, which nominated him in the 1988 VFL draft.

Recruiter Noel Judkins said, "I was guaranteed this wasn't the case, so I took the contract to Darwin and met with Michael's father Jack, and he was irate.

Playing on Mark Athorn, Long ran amok, helping Essendon gain a healthy quarter-time lead and then maintain it.

[7] Long's performance was rewarded with the Norm Smith Medal, which was presented to him by fellow Tiwi Islander Maurice Rioli.

[8] In the pre-season of 1994, in a practice match against West Coast, Long injured his knee, which required 12 months of solid rehabilitation, and he was not seen for the entire home-and-away season.

In the inaugural Anzac Day match between Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG, an incident of racial abuse targeting Long occurred, which was to have a lasting impact on the game.

[15][16][17] The incident came a week after Sam Newman infamously donned blackface to mock Nicky Winmar for declining to come on The Footy Show.

In a letter published in Melbourne's The Age, Long likened Howard to "those cold-hearted pricks" who had removed his parents from their families.

[22] The walk takes place in late May or early June before the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match, starting at Federation Square and ending at the MCG.

[22] In August 2023 Long began a 650-kilometre (400 mi) walk between Melbourne and Canberra, this time in support of the forthcoming Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.

[24] In July 2011, Long signed up as ambassador for weight-loss agency Jenny Craig, partly to highlight Indigenous health.

[citation needed] Long was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, for "service to Australian rules football, and to the Indigenous community".