As the Sunbury Lions focus on finals on the field, they are also making sure they remember their legends of the past. The club has had a big focus of remembering their past players and regularly has reunions for past premiership glories. Noel Long may not have spent many years at the Lions but his legacy has made a lasting impact.
Long was just 15 when he played in his first premiership for the Lions. It coincided with the start of a golden period of the Lions.
With the likes of Fred Payne, Robert Free, Ron Forbes, Graham Write, Barry Boardman and Peter Robinson, it was one of the strongest Lions teams in the club history.
The 1955 premiership was followed by a grand final appearance the next year, another premiership in 1957 and they fell short at the final hurdle in 1958.
Long provided a target up forward, kicking goals off the half forward flank in the 1955 victory and kicked four goals from centre half forward in the 1957 triumph.
Long’s talents were quickly noticed and he joined Victorian Football League side Footscray in which was then the country’s top football league.
He played just two seasons with the Bulldogs, playing 12 games and kicking 13 goals.
Long’s opponents included Essendon legend Jack Clarke and very talented St Kilda defender Verdun Howell.
Long later regretted leaving the Bulldogs after two seasons and not having the chance to have a long VFL career.
Newly married, Long received an offer from Kyneton that was too good to refuse which he took up.
Long spent two injury riddled years with the Tigers before answering an advertisement from Yarrawonga who was after a butcher and football player.
Playing for 11 years, he played 192 games becoming one of the Ovens and Murray Football League’s greatest centre half forwards.
He coached the Pigeons for three seasons and coached the league’s representative side for two years as well.
Long’s sons Jeff and Tim followed in their father’s footsteps playing for the Pigeons and played in the 1989 premiership.
He was inducted into the Ovens and Murray’s hall of fame last year.
Long wasn’t the only person from his family to have an impact on the Lions, he brother played and coached the club.
