Tara Murray
Tullamarine has added some much needed leg speed with the signing of former AFL player Jake Long.
Long, the son of Essendon legend Michael Long, has committed to the Demons full time having played in the Victorian Football League since his AFL days ended.
Last season, his local club was Bacchus Marsh in the Ballarat Football League.
Tullamarine coach David Connell said they had been speaking to Long for a bit to try and get him across.
“It’s something we’ve been working on and off for the past few months,” he said.
“From my experience once it gets past November you are unlikely to sign a top end person late in the pre-season.
“We’ve been pretty lucky.
“We weren’t sure whether he was going to play VFL or not. We were waiting for that decision.”
Connell said they usually don’t have VFL-listed players on their list, as they generally only play a few games, which is why they had waited for Long to make that decision.
Connell said Long, who played five AFL games for Essendon, would play a key role in their side.
“He will play through the midfield and sometimes at half back,” he said. “Footy has changed a little bit and the offensive starts off half back.
“He’ll help set up some creativity with some run and flare and provide a little leg speed around the footy which we have lacked.”
The signing of Long is the latest in a number for the Demons in the off season.
Mason Taylor, Brad Horgan, Michael Sikora, Dylan Birdo, Luke Rowland, Dillon Kane, David Stretton and Nicholas Papakalodoukas are among the other new signings.
Connell said they were hoping that the inclusion of the new guys would help the side rise up the ladders after finishing a disappointing ninth last year.
“We are under no illusions,” he said. “We went backwards last year.
“We’re back at home this year and we don’t want to be in the mix with the bottom sides. We aspire to be in the top four or five straight away.
“The vibe around the whole place is really good.”
