Lin Jong Biography

Lin Jong retires from AFL football after another season ruined by injury.

Jong, 28, has managed just 65 games across his 10 seasons at the Western Bulldogs, with only four of those coming in the past three seasons. He played just one game in 2021 - in round six, against the Giants - in which he suffered a significant hamstring injury before making his decision to retire.

"I've come a long way as a person and a footballer in that time and I'm really proud of everything I've achieved. There have been some injury setbacks, but I wouldn't have my journey any other way," he said.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season holds for us and am excited about stepping into the next chapter of my life."

Lin Jong is set for a long stint on the sidelines after suffering a high-grade hamstring injury.

"Unfortunately from training today, Lin has suffered a high-grade hamstring injury. It was during our match simulation session and he pulled up after accelerating," Bulldogs medical services manager Chris Bell said.

"We're going to work through a process with Lin over the coming days to determine the extent of his injury and his return to play plan."

Lin Jong will take a "short break" from playing football as he battles with mental health issues.

Jong hasn't featured at AFL level since August last year, having dealt with hamstring injuries and a ruptured appendix through the 2019 season.

He has also dealt with two broken collarbones, a fractured jaw and a ruptured ACL in a 61-game career plagued by injury.

"I'll be taking some time away from playing football due to some mental health issues I've been battling with," Jong posted on Instagram.

"Just so nothing is misconstrued, I feel I have tried my best to play footy while dealing with it, but I now feel it's the right time to make my mental health a priority.

"I also think it's important to be upfront and honest, as there's nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.

"I'd also encourage anyone struggling to speak up. I have all the support I can ask for and hope to be back playing eventually."

Lin Jong has suffered a major hamstring blow after being forced from the field in the Dogs' match simulation this week.

Jong, 25, is set to miss up to 10 weeks after scans confirmed a high-grade hamstring tear.

Lin Jong signs a new two-year contract extension to remain with the Bulldogs until the end of 2020.

Jong played 10 games in 2018, averaging 14 disposals, after returning from a right knee reconstruction he required in June of 2017.

"I've obviously been here for a little while now, so it was a pretty easy decision when I thought about all the support I've had here and all the relationships I have," Jong said.

"The way we strung a few wins together, especially at the back-end of the year, and the way we were playing together and jelling, it seems like there are bigger and better things to come."

After being a late inclusion for the Bulldogs, Lin Jong suffers a broken collarbone midway through the first term of their clash against Geelong.

Jong had gathered an errant Geelong kick near goal but was injured after a heavy tackle by Cat Sam Menegola.

Lin Jong's will require a knee reconstruction that will see him miss the rest of the season.

Jong suffered the injury in his right knee when Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones smothered the Bulldog's kick in the first quarter.

"We're all devastated for Jongy and we'll put a really strong support network around him," Bulldogs club physiotherapist Chris Bell said.

"He'll undergo a conventional hamstring tendon reconstruction later this week but we look forward to seeing Jongy back into some football in the early parts of 2018."

Lin Jong is suspected to have suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament that will end his 2017 season.

Long was injured midway through the first term of the Bulldogs' 57-point loss to Melbourne.

Lin Jong signs a new two-year deal to remain at the Bulldogs until the end of 2018 after considering interest from both Collingwood and Gold Coast.

"There are a number of factors I considered before signing and in the end it was quite obvious that the things I was looking for were right in front of me," Jong said.

"I have the best chance of improving my football here, but also to play with this group of players, and under this group of coaches, is everything I could ask for.

"I’m just so proud to be a Western Bulldogs player and look forward to playing a part in its growth into the future."

Lin Jong will meet his manager over the next couple of days to make a decision about staying with the premiers or moving to Gold Coast.

"All along, it's been about opportunity. Mid-year he hadn't played much footy. It's just about whether he's going to get regular footy at the Dogs," Jong's manager Nick Gieschen said.

Gieschen confirmed the Suns wanted to acquire Jong.

"They're (the Suns) after a certain type of player and he's probably one of a few guys that they would be talking to at this stage," Gieschen said.

"He's a required player at the Bulldogs and he certainly knows that."

Lin Jong admits he may have played his final game for the side after being overlooked for Saturday's Grand Final.

Jong, who appears likely to seek a trade at the end of the season, has been named as an emergency for the premiership decider after recovering from a collarbone injury sustained in the first week of the finals.

He pressed his claim with a best afield performance in last week's VFL Grand Final, but was unable to force his way into the side.

"I guess you could say there's a possibility but I'm still weighing up all my options," he said during the Grand Final parade.

"At the end of the day, I want to choose what I feel will be best for me.

"I'm really happy for the team. I'm part of the team, along with every other boy at the club, who was along for this process of making the Grand Final.

"(But) It doesn't affect my decision, I don't reckon."

Lin Jong takes the field in Footscray's VFL Grand Final against Casey in a last-ditch bid to force his way into next week's AFL Grand Final against the Sydney Swans.

The 23-year-old returns to competitive action just 17 days after breaking his collarbone in the elimination final win over West Coast at Domain Stadium.

Lin Jong's strategy of strapping his healthy shoulder, instead of the shoulder with a plate in it, helped the Western Bulldogs midfielder dominate the VFL Grand Final in a best on ground performance.

Back on the field just 16 days after surgery, Jong won the Norm Goss Medal for best afield in the VFL Grand Final as Footscray finished 31-point winners against the Casey Scorpions.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried (pre-game). That's natural, but once I got into it … it was no dramas," Jong said about his injury.

"I couldn't let the collarbone deter me from doing anything different so I tried to do that as best as I could."

The Western Bulldogs haven't ruled out Lin Jong playing again this season with the midfielder expected to start running this week in his recovery from a broken collarbone.

Lin Jong is seen in tears on the Bulldogs bench after playing what may be his last game for the club.

The midfielder suffered a serious right shoulder injury during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' elimination after being pinned in a heavy tackle by Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern.

Out-of-contract at the end of the year, Jong has been linked to Gold Coast and Collingwood.

"I hope it's about his injury and not because he thinks it's his last game for the Bulldogs," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.

"The boys are just giving him a cuddle and he'll be fine."

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he doesn't think Nathan Buckley would be part of the mid-season Lin Jong meeting at the Holden Centre if he had his time again.

A Collingwood party that included Buckley met with the out-of-contract Jong at the club's headquarters recently to discuss the midfielder possibly crossing to the Magpies in October's trade period.

"Nathan called me but it's played out in a public space and I know Nathan has said that if he had his time over he'd do it again but I don't think he would," Beveridge said.

"Ultimately if our list manager Jason McCartney came to me – which he wouldn't – and said, 'Hey, let's meet a player at the Whitten Oval', I'd say, 'Hang on, mate. I'm keen to talk to him but it's too risky to do it here.'

"Maybe Nathan has been led up the wrong path there as well because he's assertive enough and mature enough to make a better decision than that."

Jordan Roughead defends Bulldogs teammate Lin Jong's tour of Collingwood, saying it's naïve to think out-of-contract players aren't talking to rival clubs.

There was plenty of interest in the Bulldogs' team selection on Thursday, and whether Jong might pay the price for the 'tour', but the midfielder was picked to take on Richmond on Saturday night.

"We all want to play with Lin and we've got 100 per cent trust in running out with him this weekend," Roughead said.

"We understand that at the end of the year ... decisions need to be made, and he's going to make the decision that's best for him.

"I think it's a little bit naïve to think that players aren't at least having conversations with clubs, and trying to secure themselves a future during the season."

Lachie Hunter says Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has forgiven Lin Jong for his tour of Collingwood's facilities.

"He cracked a few jokes in the first team meeting and that aired it out," Hunter told AAP.

"It was a bit awkward in the morning but 'Jongy' joined in and everyone moved forward.

"Trades are a part of the game. You'd be stupid to think no one talks to other clubs. But we love Jongy and hope he can stay."

Lin Jong is reported to have toured Collingwood's HQ in a move that Magpies coach Nathan Buckley admits would be upsetting to Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.

"If I was in Bevo's shoes, you wouldn't be happy," Buckley said.

"As a senior coach, I can put myself in Bevo's shoes. I can understand where he would be, how he would be feeling about it, and then I'd ask questions over that side. I'd ask questions at our side as well."

However, Buckley said his club's actions weren't out of step with what regularly occurred across the competition.

"I think it's dog eat dog, so to speak," Buckley said.

"There still are morals and mores that are expected and accepted, and we'd like to believe that we follow those."

Lin Jong says he wants to model his game on explosive Cats midfielder Patrick Dangerfield.

"The way he uses his speed is something I'd really like to do," Jong said.

"The coaches tell me to use my speed as much as I can and break away from packs a bit more.

"Patrick is such a great player and I aspire to be a better player and keep improving, so I like to adapt my game to his."

The AFL's Multicultural Program will expand to 18 player ambassadors in 2016 and will also include two female players.

Sabrina Frederick-Traub and Darcy Vescio will be joined in promoting some of the many diverse backgrounds in Australia’s Game by Brisbane Lions Vice Captain Dayne Zorko, Geelong’s Tom Hawkins, Fremantle’s Tendai Mzundu, Gold Coast SUNS players Adam Saad and Tom Nicholls, Sydney Swan Aliir Aliir and Western Bulldogs player Jason Johannisen.

The new additions in 2016 join existing Australia Post AFL Multicultural Player Ambassadors David Zaharakis (Essendon), Stephen Coniglio (GWS GIANTS), Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn), Shem Tatupu (Hawthorn), Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide), Jimmy Toumpas (Port Adelaide), Bachar Houli (Richmond), Nic Naitanui (West Coast) and Lin Jong (Western Bulldogs).

“The expanded list of 18 ambassadors, representing 13 AFL Clubs and two female Clubs, will play a crucial role in raising cultural understanding, inclusion and participation at all levels of Australian Football,” AFL General Manager Game and Market Development Simon Lethlean said.

Lin Jong still pinches himself that he is on an AFL list, so he finds it surreal when strangers tell him he inspires them.

The 22-year-old Western Bulldog is the first AFL player of Taiwanese and East Timorese descent.

Jong didn't start playing competitive football until he was 15, and just made the list of TAC Cup team Oakleigh Chargers.

After three years on the Bulldogs' rookie list, Jong was elevated to the primary list at the end of last year. He has played 19 AFL games since making his debut, aged 19, in 2012.

"It's a bit of a unique story, and I embrace it because it's part of who I am and how I grew up," Jong told the AFL Record.

"At times I think, 'What am I doing here? How lucky am I?' because a bit of luck fell my way – with my father, and then how my parents met, and being on the Bulldogs list – and I'm very grateful for everything I have."

Lin Jong will be sidelined for up to two weeks after fracturing his hand against the Sydney Swans.

Jong sustained the injury in the last quarter of his side's thrilling four-point win over the Swans at the SCG, but managed to play out the game.

"It's a small fracture that we've sought specialist advice on and we think the right thing to do is to stabilise it, which he'll have done this afternoon," Bulldogs football manager Graham Lowe said.

"We expect him to miss the next one-to-two weeks."

Lin Jong accepts the apology of a Richmond supporter who racially vilified the Western Bulldogs midfielder during Saturday's clash at the MCG.

The Tigers fan, Roy McCarthy, came forward on Monday, after the Melbourne Cricket Club and AFL were alerted to an incident that took place during the Dogs' 19-point win.

McCarthy expressed his regret over his comments.

"To his (Jong's) family, I'm sorry for what I said and to the Western Bulldogs, I'm very sorry," McCarthy told Channel Seven.

"I'm (a) half-caste Aborigine myself and I know what it feels like, so I'm sorry about what I said."

Jong accepted McCarthy's apology in a video posted on the club's website on Monday afternoon.

"It is disappointing these incidents still arise and I want to say to all football fans, including our own, that any abusive behaviour based on someone's skin colour, race, sexuality or anything like that is just not acceptable in this day and age," Jong said.

"Not in the game, and not in society in general."

Lin Jong is the target of racial slurs during the Bulldogs-Tigers clash at the MCG.

The Melbourne Cricket Club and AFL have both confirmed a complaint was made and Victoria Police attended the incident, but no further action was taken.

The Western Bulldogs have upgraded emerging midfielder Lin Jong to their senior list on a two-year deal.

The 21-year-old, who needed to be upgraded or delisted after three seasons on the club's rookie list, has been rewarded for his steady improvement since being taken with pick nine in the 2012 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"Lin started playing football as a 15-year-old, and has demonstrated some rapid improvement over that time, but most notably this year, under the guidance of our coaches and strong development program," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"Lin has genuine AFL attributes with his speed and power, and a real interest and drive in his own development.

"We're really pleased for Lin that he has been rewarded for the work he has put in over the past three years."

Jobe Watson joins Demon Jimmy Toumpas, Magpie Patrick Karnezis, Giant Stephen Coniglio, and Lin Jong from the Western Bulldogs as new multicultural ambassadors in 2014 to help grow the game alongside existing ambassadors Nic Naitanui, Bachar Houli, Karmichael Hunt, Majak Daw, and Alipate Carlile.

"Since the introduction of the AFL multicultural ambassador program in 2012, we are delighted by the enthusiasm, insight and cultural guidance the ambassadors have provided to communities and the AFL industry," AFL chief Andrew Demetriou said.

"In 2014, we are excited to have Jobe, Jimmy, Patrick, Stephen and Lin as part of this important program and look forward to the 10 ambassadors playing a lead role in encouraging individuals and communities to unite through their passion for Australia's game."

Lin Jong, of East Timorese descent, receives a letter from East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

"Your achievement is an impressive one that I am sure is the result of many years of focus, determination and commitment," Gusmao wrote.

"The Timorese are a resilient and courageous people and I am confident that you will take this spirit with you on to the football field …

"I hope you play well for yourself, your club and the Timorese people."

Lin Jong says he is reasonably happy with his debut for the Bulldogs in a 70-point loss to Richmond.

"I tried my hardest. I just cracked in, which is all they wanted from me," Jong said.

"I was quietly happy. It wasn't great, but it wasn't that bad. I was just happy to make my debut. I wasn't too fussed about how I went. I was just happy to be out there playing with my teammates."

Lin Jong makes his AFL debut for the Western Bulldogs at the MCG with 16 disposals (9 kicks and 7 handballs), 3 marks and 2 tackles in a 70-point loss to Richmond.

The Western Bulldogs have elevated rookie Lin Jong to the senior list in place of Daniel Cross.

"Lin is a great competitor and a terrific young person who works extremely hard at his craft," Peter German, the Bulldogs development coach and Williamstown coach, said.

"He can play in a variety of positions and has been a consistent performer in the VFL this season."

It only took one year in the TAC Cup competition for Lin Jong to catch the Western Bulldogs' attention.

"His athletic traits really stood out," Bulldogs' recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple said.

"He can also win his own ball and we just thought he was the best available. We were really keen to get him. We knew he had some interest from other clubs and we weren't willing to risk losing him."