Essendon champion Michael Long is still three weeks away from playing football with his troublesome knee taking some time to get right. Long hasn't played a match since round five and had to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove floating bone. His rehabilitation has been plagued by problems - a bout of tonsilitis set his initial recovery back and constant swelling in the knee (as a result of previous operations) also set him back. More recently, the knee became infected pushing his return even further behind.

""It has been a very frustrating time for Michael but we think we have got the rehabilitiation under control now - he will be fit enough to return in about three weeks,"" Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said.

""We are very keen to get him back. He is a champion player - vice-captain of the club, Norm Smith Medallist and All Australian - the list goes on,"" Drain said. ""He is a fantastic leader and someone the players really respect. Michael Long is in our best side. He is also a proven finals performer and we want him firing in the latter part of the season.""