View Full Version : Player Watch #13: Anthony Long - Returns to the field on Sunday
Welcome to Essendon.
Draft profile, thanks to AFL.com.au:
Height: 187cm
Weight: 74kg
Skilful running defender with great ability to move through traffic. Agility, recovery and vertical leap are all impressive - 3secs for 20m at Draft Camp, 8.37secs for agility (top 33 per cent) and 70cm running vertical jump (top 30 per cent). Nephew of former Bomber, Michael.
Pick 33 Anthony Long 186cm 68kg Calder Cannons
Last year it was the Northern Knights and this year it seems the Cannons where the flavour of the year with Long being the third Calder boy to arrive in the draft.
Now Long is the one player that I can not go into lengthy detail about because he did not play a lot of TAC Cup footy and unlike the club I do not have a good line on his school footy or his junior background as far as footy goes. Obviously we have a good understanding of his back ground due to his family ties with the club.
From what I have seen of him his skills are pretty good and most games he was very good at hitting targets by foot. His kicking style is very smooth and he can pin point passes into areas most can not.
He is agile and pretty quick off the mark with good overall pace and a smooth mover who can get out of traffic well. His vision and awareness where not too bad from what I saw either.
He struggled with injury a lot this year and it showed with his fitness and the fact that they could not use him in the middle despite his pretty good hands at ground level and stoppage ability.
Played as a back pocket a bit when he first came back and finished up playing a bit of half back but was never able to run out a full game because of the amount of footy he missed early.
His draft camp results where ok and he does have a very good leap and can take a good mark if he gets a run up and is able to maximize his jump.
Obviously he is very much on the skinny side and a bit of a long range project but he does have the skills and raw ability to make it if he can get his fitness levels up, build up some body size and over come the injury issues.
Doubt we would see much of him next year as far as senior football goes as he is a very light framed kid at the moment.
TAC stats
11 games
Averages
Kicks 4.3 at 63% efficiency
Handballs 6.4 at 85% efficiency
Disposals 10.7 at 75% efficiency
Tackles 1.2
Marks 1.
Skeeta Olly
29 Nov 2009, 18:56
It has been Long coming... but he's back!
Tailypo
30 Nov 2009, 21:28
Anthony Long
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/images/players2008b/lona.jpg
Height: 186cm
Weight: 70kg (various sources have it ranging from 68-74kg)
D.O.B: 6/1/1991
Position: running/rebounding HBF
Previous
Clubs: St Mary's, Calder Cannons
Pick: #33 in the 2009 National Draft
Games: 0
Description: Anthony Long, nephew of Michael, is a skillful HBF in the mould of Courtenay Dempsey. He is noted for his intelligence with the ball, smooth kicking, leap, and ability to get out of traffic. While his output in 2009 was hindered by a stress fracture in his back and, later, an ankle injury, Adrian Dodoro cites this as reasoning to believe that he has the greatest upside of anyone in the draft pool. He also notes that Long is balanced and wins his own ball. There were knocks on Long's fitness, due to him missing prolonged periods of footy with injury, and he is very lean ATM. For this reason we shouldn't expect to see him debut in 2010, but a good 12 months 'in the system' will do him wonders. He is a Long-term prospect (see what I did there?).
Pick 33 Anthony Long 186cm 68kg Calder Cannons
...
From what I have seen of him his skills are pretty good and most games he was very good at hitting targets by foot. His kicking style is very smooth and he can pin point passes into areas most can not.
He is agile and pretty quick off the mark with good overall pace and a smooth mover who can get out of traffic well. His vision and awareness where not too bad from what I saw either.
He struggled with injury a lot this year and it showed with his fitness and the fact that they could not use him in the middle despite his pretty good hands at ground level and stoppage ability.
Played as a back pocket a bit when he first came back and finished up playing a bit of half back but was never able to run out a full game because of the amount of footy he missed early.
His draft camp results where ok and he does have a very good leap and can take a good mark if he gets a run up and is able to maximize his jump.
Obviously he is very much on the skinny side and a bit of a long range project but he does have the skills and raw ability to make it if he can get his fitness levels up, build up some body size and over come the injury issues.
Doubt we would see much of him next year as far as senior football goes as he is a very light framed kid at the moment.
...
Other:
*Was offered a contract by GC but turned it down for the opportunity to nominate for the national draft.
*Is part of an Indigenous Leadership Program at Melbourne University, studying an arts degree.
In his own words: [from afl.com.au]
What type of player are you?
Medium size defender who can take small or tall forwards. Evasive and able to run and carry the ball.
Which AFL player do you feel you resemble, and why?
Feel that I resemble Courtenay Dempsey, because he has good defensive skills and can run and carry the ball out of defence.
What are your strengths as a footballer?
Decision making, good under pressure, defensive skills and ball usage.
What parts of your game would you like to improve?
Certain physical areas such as fitness and the will to keep running. Also would like to improve goal kicking.
Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them?
Support Essendon Bombers. Came to barrack for them because my uncle played for Essendon and my dad and his brothers are big time Essendon supporters.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far, and why?
Would have to be my dad. This is because he was the one who wanted me to play footy, and without him I'd be playing basketball instead of footy.
Footage:
http://www.afl.com.au/video/tabid/76/videoid/50991/anthony+long+highlights/default.aspx#VideoPlayerB (http://www.afl.com.au/video/tabid/76/videoid/50991/anthony+long+highlights/default.aspx#VideoPlayerB)
Tailypo
30 Nov 2009, 21:42
Just a few articles from before and after the draft:
Long-lost 'juniors'
http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/longlost-juniors-20091125-jrr1.html
ESSENDON'S decision to overlook Cyril Rioli at the 2007 national draft was both simple and complicated. The simple part was that if the Bombers wanted ''Junior Boy'', the nephew of Michael Long, they had to choose him with their first choice, as he was never going to last until their second
http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/longlost-juniors-20091125-jrr1.html
:footy:
Long follows uncle to Essendon
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/11/27/104351_ntsport.html
ANTHONY Long has followed in his famous uncle Michael's footsteps when snapped up as pick No. 33 by Essendon in the Draft.
When the 18-year-old's name popped up next to the red and black Bomber colours, worn with distinction by his Norm Smith-winning uncle, celebrations echoed through St Marys clubhouse at Marrara as loud as they did at Long's house in Melbourne.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/11/27/104351_ntsport.html
:footy:
Essendon Bombers longing for more
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-bombers-longing-for-more/story-e6frf9jf-1225804773639
TRADITION means a lot to Essendon great Michael Long.
So being the first to hand over a Bombers guernsey to his nephew Anthony in Darwin after the 18-year-old was picked up by the club with pick No. 33 in Thursday night's AFL national draft was a proud moment for the two-time premiership player
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-bombers-longing-for-more/story-e6frf9jf-1225804773639
:footy:
http://www.ntnews.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2009/11/27/Long_family.jpg
AxelFoley
1 Dec 2009, 09:04
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs111.snc3/15867_187918754355_129963809355_2737904_7326166_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2737905&id=129963809355)
hird+lloyd=legends
21 Dec 2009, 11:23
longs been given the number 13
Michael Long's nephew grabs spotlight
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/michael-longs-nephew-grabs-spotlight/story-e6frf9jf-1225837999494
ESSENDON draftee Anthony Long fulfilled a childhood dream when he lined up for the Bombers in his uncle's famous No. 13 at the weekend.
Long, the nephew of Michael, made his debut against Sydney in Blacktown on Saturday night.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/michael-longs-nephew-grabs-spotlight/story-e6frf9jf-1225837999494
Lance Uppercut
8 Mar 2010, 13:27
I am really excited by this guy. I'm getting on early, could be anything
Where's he at after the season been?
Skeeta Olly
14 Nov 2010, 09:51
Anthony Long
Hamstring
Anthony had hamstring tendon surgery and is completing modified training.
Hamstring.
Bugger. Is he in full training now or was that injury a recent development?
Charliebrow 16
31 Mar 2011, 22:25
I can't wait to see this boy debut at some point. From all reports when he's injury free, his field kicking is wonderful.
Slattery_20
1 Apr 2011, 07:50
Years away, physically. 74 of the lightest kiloes you will ever see IMHO.
Charliebrow 16
1 Apr 2011, 12:51
I'm assuming frequent injuries have prohibited him from completing a full pre-season and subsequently maintaining the same weight since he was initially drafted? I often feel like he's a somewhat forgotten player because we just haven't been given a glimpse of his potential and ability.
Slattery_20
6 Apr 2011, 15:20
I'm assuming frequent injuries have prohibited him from completing a full pre-season and subsequently maintaining the same weight since he was initially drafted? I often feel like he's a somewhat forgotten player because we just haven't been given a glimpse of his potential and ability.
Think Courtenay Dempsey mixed with John Williams - gone full vegan, in terms of build/lack thereof.
Also forgotten cos he keeps slipping down the cracks between the cushions.
Very light. Reasonably big wraps, but I'm unsure when or if he'll be ready.
Mrs Mercuri
20 Apr 2011, 16:28
A worry that he is having so many problems with injuries already... if he doesnt get back on the field in 2011 I would be tempted to delist him and pick him up in the rookie draft to give him more time to get fit. Is a bit of a list clogger at the moment... will need room especially with Crameri playing so well.
I am going to go out onto the unpopular limb and say he wont make it. He has skills and ability but i just don't see his body size allowing him to go too far.
KING-JAMES
24 Apr 2011, 19:43
I am going to go out onto the unpopular limb and say he wont make it. He has skills and ability but i just don't see his body size allowing him to go too far.
Would be a real shame if that turns out to be the case. Everyone at the club seems to really rate him abilities but I too share this concern. Even before we drafted him there were injury clouds hanging over him.
Hopefully he gets a run at it soon enough.
kelvin_sheedy
24 Apr 2011, 19:49
Skinny blokes with hammy's worry the hell out of me.
How will their body cope with and extra 5-10 kilos.
yodellinhank
24 Apr 2011, 21:14
Essendon site has him listed as 187cm and 81kg. How does he stack up amongst the likes of
Winders 188cm 82kg, Dempsey 185cm 80kg, Melksham 185cm 78kg, Heppell 189cm 81kg, Prismall 186cm 83kg, Michael Long (not currently, of course;))...
when its said wrong body shape, is he just wafer thin on top or chicken arms or something? Or was the 81kg his weight entering the club and he's lost some fat and not gained any muscle?
Essendon site has him listed as 187cm and 81kg. How does he stack up amongst the likes of
Winders 188cm 82kg, Dempsey 185cm 80kg, Melksham 185cm 78kg, Heppell 189cm 81kg, Prismall 186cm 83kg, Michael Long (not currently, of course;))...
when its said wrong body shape, is he just wafer thin on top or chicken arms or something? Or was the 81kg his weight entering the club and he's lost some fat and not gained any muscle?
Would be a generous 81kg from what i have seen of him.
Leaving Heppell out as he is first year and i think he will easily get to the 86kg to 88kg mark the weight of the others is an issue to me.
Dempsey is injury prone, Winderlich is injury prone and Prismall is questionable strength wise and i will add Welsh to the list.
Yes there are spots for quick 186cm 82kg players but how many ?
If you look at sides who have won all the recent flags they have done it off the back of solid 85kg plus mids who are powerful mixed in with a few quuick finishers but not many.
It is almost at the stage that if you can not hit 85kg your input is limited unless you have some serious x factor.
Duckworth
26 Apr 2011, 01:31
Would be a generous 81kg from what i have seen of him.
Leaving Heppell out as he is first year and i think he will easily get to the 86kg to 88kg mark the weight of the others is an issue to me.
Dempsey is injury prone, Winderlich is injury prone and Prismall is questionable strength wise and i will add Welsh to the list.
Yes there are spots for quick 186cm 82kg players but how many ?
If you look at sides who have won all the recent flags they have done it off the back of solid 85kg plus mids who are powerful mixed in with a few quuick finishers but not many.
It is almost at the stage that if you can not hit 85kg your input is limited unless you have some serious x factor.
I'm sure he'll hit 85kg at some stage. See Uncle Michael for reference.
Mrs Mercuri
26 Apr 2011, 20:04
Reminds a lot of a young Dempsey who we all thought wouldnt make it coz of his hamstrings as well... lets hope Longy can get back on the park soon and prove us wrong.
If he stays injured all year i still think we should delist him then rookie him.
ZAAHAARAKIS!!!!!
12 Sep 2011, 14:04
Does anyone have a more recent word on his progress??
Can't wait to see dempsey and long running off the flanks, if he's injury free could we see him play some nab cup for us?
Mrs Mercuri
17 Sep 2011, 21:48
Out of contract... interesting to see if the club keeps him on or not considering his horrible injuries so far... we can't carry all these injured players year in and year out anymore...
Maybe Geelong will let us trade Anthony for Michael Long's other nephew Allen Christensen who was still available when we picked up Anthony if we claim that we accidently picked the wrong one in the first place?
HurleyTheFuture
21 Oct 2011, 20:46
Whats the wrap on this guy havent seen much of him could he be a real talent?
Nt Bomber
22 Oct 2011, 10:19
Whats the wrap on this guy havent seen much of him could he be a real talent?
I wouldnt mind being on an AFL list for a few years and doing absolutely nothing.
Kyptastic
22 Oct 2011, 11:20
Whats the wrap on this guy havent seen much of him could he be a real talent?
We picked him instead of Christensen, so hopefully the club made the right call talent wise. Just needs to have some good luck with injuries and we might start getting a return on investment.
BomberTime
22 Oct 2011, 11:23
I wouldnt mind being on an AFL list for a few years and doing absolutely nothing.
Yeah, I mean what a dud. We should have played him regardless that his hamstrings were barely hanging on. Maybe he could have got a handball and he would have done 'something'.:rolleyes:
Very harsh on the kid:thumbsd:
Essendon can afford to give him another two year contract, if he still struggles well it wasnt meant to be. Let the 'weapon' build the boy up and get consecutive games at Bendigo, he might surpise.
eth-dog
22 Oct 2011, 11:26
Yeah, I mean what a dud. We should have played him regardless that his hamstrings were barely hanging on. Maybe he could have got a handball and he would have done 'something'.:rolleyes:
Very harsh on the kid:thumbsd:
Essendon can afford to give him another two year contract, if he still struggles well it wasnt meant to be. Let the 'weapon' build the boy up and get consecutive games at Bendigo, he might surpise.
Agreed. Build his confidence before letting him and Hibberd release Dempsey and Heppell on our wings :thumbsu:
Crameri mentioned in a piece on the EFC wesbite the other day that Long has been able to join in full training.
Encouraging.
Mrs Mercuri
22 Oct 2011, 21:08
Yeah great to hear that Long has started running and training with the boys already, lets hope this is just the start of a great pre-season for him.
Id say he will get a new 2 year deal...
Was Long's hammies a problem prior to recruitment?
We picked him instead of Christensen, so hopefully the club made the right call talent wise. Just needs to have some good luck with injuries and we might start getting a return on investment.
Pretty sure they did not make the right choice but who knows as Long can play if he gets his body right. not much we can do about it now.
I have to settle for enjoying Bundy play well and thinking about a few people who questioned my mental state when i said i would take him with a top 10 pick :D
Was Long's hammies a problem prior to recruitment?
Not sure if it was all hammy injures but he did miss a lot of TAC Cup footy and i do know there was one stint on the side lines for a hammy strain. He did have some injury issues.
Could it be considered we took a punt on an injured player in the draft after passing up on Cyril for the same reasons? Or he got in purely on the 'Long' name?
I'd say we recruited him because he showed the sort of brilliance that is always worth taking a punt on especially at # 33. That he is a "Long" would be the reason the club would look at him (but that is as far as it would go). Is that any different to a father-son?
From what I understand Long was a late bloomer (and hardly played junior rep footy) who we viewed as having a huge upside. The only thing we learnt from Cyril (and Judd, Selwood with Heppell also being a good example) is that junior injuries are something that players can overcome if managed correctly.
I have to admit having a soft spot for Long because of who he is and because he is exactly what we need going into next year. We need the class and dash to add to the mix of players who we can use off half back. He isn't even an afterthough for the early stages of next year but with McVeigh's career coming to an end, a spot in the backline will open up around 2013 (Hardingham + Hibberd will play negating roles with Long being given more freedom like a Heppell/Dempsey).
Fin ice Smuggler
25 Oct 2011, 21:02
lets hope the weapon can do to Longy as he did for Varcoe. Varcoe had a serious leg injury before being recruited by Geelong and is now an important cog in the Cats forward line, took a few years before he became the player he did and copped a fair amount of criticism.
Mrs Mercuri
26 Oct 2011, 17:59
Have a feeling that if we want a pick in the PSD that Longy will be delisted and hopfully picked up as a rookie for next year. Would take the pressure off him to get his body right as well as giving us a spot on the senior list for someone who is ready to go.
I don't understand how being a rookie takes the pressure off. All it seems to signal to a player is that he has his last chance. As far as I can tell Long has been dedicated to his rehab and is being struck by bad luck. He probably doesn't need the head**** of a demotion.
Now that he is at training and over the worst of his injuries I'd say he wont be going anywhere.
Long is essentially a new draft pick anyway. The advantage we have is that we are in complete control of his body (unlike anyone who could walk through the door).
We need to know that we can't get him right before doing anything dramatic. Robinson wouldn't have been brought in if improvements didn't need to be made to our strength and conditioning.
Delisted, rookied, alive and well. as seen in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG79MxHLuF8
It seems surreal that we're actually going to see this kid play (NAB) AFL in a few days.
Yep, I'm as excited about seeing this guy play as I am about any of the recruits.
Slattery_20
17 Feb 2012, 08:17
It seems surreal that we're actually going to see this kid play (NAB) AFL in a few days.
I reckon he, Andrew Lee and Scott Gumbleton are actually the same person.
DapperDon
17 Feb 2012, 08:38
Question, as all I know about this kid is his name.
Is he a crumber goal sneak or more of a wingman/HBF runner?
Slattery_20
17 Feb 2012, 08:40
'cos that's the only two positions he could play???
He's a half-back, very classy, very poised.
Tommy08
17 Feb 2012, 08:40
I reckon he, Andrew Lee and Scott Gumbleton are actually the same person.
What's an Andrew Lee?
Slattery_20
17 Feb 2012, 08:48
Exactly.
On our list for like 5-6 years, 3 games in his first year and NEVER SEEN AGAIN. *cue X files theme*
DapperDon
17 Feb 2012, 08:54
'cos that's the only two positions he could play???
He's a half-back, very classy, very poised.
Well, he aint exactly built for a Key Position is he. Jus Sayin!:cool:
Kind of like Jarrod Harbrow, Dapper..
At least that's what my youtube told me.
Tommy08
17 Feb 2012, 08:56
Attentione, il est Myron!
Slattery_20
17 Feb 2012, 09:01
Attentione, il est Myron!
:thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu:
Good luck to the kid. Hopefully he can stay injury free.
Slattery_20
17 Feb 2012, 10:21
Myron? He's made of plasticine, how can he get injured.
Call Me Cake
17 Feb 2012, 13:03
Thread title implies that he's been on the field before.
jade_00
19 Feb 2012, 17:32
Keen to see him play tonight.....
Can only get better.. surely?!! looked totally lost out there so far.
jade_00
19 Feb 2012, 18:43
Can only get better.. surely?!! looked totally lost out there so far.
Well it is preseason. Monfries was shanking them as well, and he's normally a good disposer of the ball.
Hopefully he gets another crack next game.
DapperDon
19 Feb 2012, 18:54
You know someone is worried about their hammies when they are too scared to build up a slight jog.
I still have faith in him though, it's in his genes.
Tassieboy
19 Feb 2012, 19:01
Fair to say he was tentative.
Still has A. Long way to go.
It all seriousness though, he is nowhere near AFL level.
the kid hasn't played in a LONG time. give him a break ffs
Tassieboy
19 Feb 2012, 19:55
the kid hasn't played in a LONG time. give him a break ffs
Of course, but he was a chicken in the headlights tonight.
Nerves got to him IMO.
A few turnovers and that holding the ball would have shattered his confidence.
Darealrath
19 Feb 2012, 20:08
I'm just glad he got through ok. Most of our players were crap today anyway.
reminded me of gumby's first match back after not playing for about 2 years. when you've been out of the game at any level for so long it wouldn't be easy.
Call Me Cake
20 Feb 2012, 00:14
It's his first game guys, geez, lighten up will ya.
Eerie - This was a flashback to watching Long play for Bendigo VS Box Hill Hawks in June 2010.
Both games featured two bad turnovers early on that lead to goals - And the he disappeared.
History repeats.
Slattery_20
20 Feb 2012, 05:52
reminded me of gumby's first match back after not playing for about 2 years. when you've been out of the game at any level for so long it wouldn't be easy.
Yep.
All we found out was a bloke who hasn't touched the footy in anger in 3 years, is rusty.
Keen to see him again. Him, Jetta and Dempsey = UBER PACE off the backline.
I'm just glad he got through ok. Most of our players were crap today anyway.Pretty much this.
Not worried at all. He's depth on the rookie list (let alone senior), has plenty of ability, and he's had a crack at it for the first time at AFL level.
Of course he was rusty... but I believe that kids/young men with 'it' have poise and the sense of time. NOT writing him off by a long stretch but hopefully he works on his skills and 'awareness' around the ball.
He performed like a typical rookie in his first nab cup game. Hopefully he gets another chance in either the Saints or Swans game.