Essendon rookie Jake Long still hasnt spoken to his father properly about his AFL debut against Gold Coast.But he doesnt have to - Michael Longs emotions were there for all to see on Sunday.I saw Dads face and he was just overwhelmed and excited that his son was going to play AFL footy for Essendon, Long Jr. said on Monday.And if the former 190-game veteran was proud at the first bounce, it wouldnt be hard to guess how the Bombers legend felt come fulltime.Long, 20, showed all the promise anyone would want from a rookie on debut in the Bombers six-point win over the Suns at Etihad Stadium.The wingman set up two goals, had 13 touches and provided one of the sentimental highlights of the game when he linked with Joe Daniher, son of former Bombers player Anthony.Hopefully we can get some chemistry going in the future, Long said.The reception from the crowd was amazing. I think the Bomber fans have come out in numbers and its great to see them all and the love that they give Joey and Jobe (Watson).I know they love Joey and Jobe - hopefully I can join that three and make a trio.Picked up by the club as a rookie at the start of last season after being overlooked in the draft, Longs path to the AFL has been a lengthy one.He also admits to having grown up with the pressure of his surname, which he has learnt to overcome along the way.Its always there, its always in the back of your mind, but you cant really think about those things going into games and the way youre performing, he said.I take that into my stride. Ive learnt to deal with it over time.But to play footy for Essendon as a Long is pretty special.Long also said his father had given him little advice before the game except to just `run the ball - which he did with freedom. Custom Rangers Jersey China . 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Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. Authentic Custom Rangers Jersey . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. Dear Cricket Monthly,My cricket helmet has lasted 25 years but currently sits in a puddle at short leg in the backyard. Its rarely been hit, and really offers only cosmetic protection, but will soon be unusable. The mistake? I gave it to my children, a pair of young cricket lovers who, despite knowing their Waughs from Star Wars, prefer it as an accessory in their lightsabre duels. Sadly, the force of putting things away is still to awaken.Watching the younglings play one day got me thinking about teaching sports watchers. Or, in our house, ensuring they stay on the light side of the passion-versus-dangerous-obsession spectrum. Because the discussions can get intense quite quickly here, both in the backyard and in front of the television. While its important for them to know Kylo Ren from Mitchell Johnson, at what point does the interest level need to be scaled back?See, we already talk in cricket initials and puns. What six-year-old walks into an international airport to see the customs sign for Australian Border Force and immediately thinks of Allan? When working out directions, we might discuss whether to go Marcus North or Tim Southee. After a shower, one of them is often Mitchell Starc-ers. Outside, my boy commentates himself as SPD Smith, and proudly tells me his school friends now copy the lightsabre-style backlift he interpreted from Australias captain.At this stage I hope were at the quirky end of fandom. And its not totally out of family character. I once tried to name a chook Greg Chappell (we didnt have any ducks) and a puppy Billy McDermott. Were not quite in the phase where a cricket cap is part of the pyjama uniform. But my boy does try to trick me with trivia and sometimes my girl joins in.What does the K stand for in MEK Hussey? Easy. How many did GS Chappell make in the second innings at Headingley in 1975? Seriously? Why is Muralis name spelt in different ways? Um, its cultural? Maybe the children are training me.T20 and Snapchat are banned in the house, but books and Tests are encouraged. Its why the players named are more often historical. My boys self-selected top-shelf reading is based around three cricket books and Lego Star Wars guides. Theres the Cricinfo Guide to International Cricket 2009 - the year of his only Ashes tour, aged one - the Wisden Book of Test Cricket 1876-77 to 1977-78, and Richie Benauds 1981-82 Australian season guide. Wisden arrives in May or June and there is brief excitement, but its only a day or two before Cricinfo 2009 reappears beside his pillow.Scorecards are read for fun - and shared. Dad! BM Laird. Not out 3! RAL Massie - 16 WICKETS! Sometimes Im allowed to add context - like, your grandfather insistts he was drunk that day at Lords, or Massie only played five more Tests.dddddddddddd. But mostly its about runs scored and wickets taken. At what age do we have the talk about Statsguru?Watching involves attempting to sit still but is no less exhausting than playing. This is where some parental training already appears beneficial, and particularly rewarding in the long term. Nobody asks whos winning anymore, or stands in front of the television before the final ball (it happened once, during a World Cup final). They know its okay to watch in silence and save their flood of questions for the ads. And now, sometimes, they even tell me to be quiet.But its not just about the enjoyment of spectating for my boy. A fun thing about watching cricket is seeing how people bat and bowl, he says promisingly, before adding that its also a pretty good way to find out a players weaknesses. So hes watching for statistics, strategy and technical disintegration. Are you Steve Waugh in disguise?Of course, its great for our family that theyre cricket fans. But should this level of interest be encouraged or discouraged? We went to watch Australia and New Zealand at the Gabba last year, a first attempt at a proper days spectating after the Australia-Bangladesh World Cup washout. They had been well briefed on the pace of the day, and that there would be no T20 Rocket Man. This was a practical lesson in watching cricket.My girl remembers it being too hot, sending her under the seat for some cool comfort, and later having her view blocked by a tall man. It was my first time watching a Test match and apart from those catastrophes it was a cool game and I had fun, she says. A little older than her brother, she knows about Lisa Sthalekars catch to seal the 2013 World Cup, and how Ellyse Perry chooses cricket mostly over football.I like to think they will select what they want to watch as sports followers. They also know names and numbers in cycling, football, surfing, golf and tennis. But in their upbringing, cricket has got a significant head start. My proudest moment as a sports-watching teacher was when they started asking how many Chris Rogers had made. Now hes gone and they are back to being excited by David Warner. Thats fine - theres a lot to be excited by - but they have an appreciation of a traditional Test batsman.Then I started fearing for them in the playground. Theres no classroom kudos in having Chris Rogers as your last line of argumentative defence. Maybe they better start looking after that rotting helmet.Yours faithfully, Peter English ' ' '