Long is set to be honoured in the Sir Doug Nicholls indigenous round over the next two weekends, but the AFL is bracing itself for a backlash when the Goodes documentary is released on June 7.

AFL club bosses were given a private screening last week.

Long has also seen the film, said to be a confronting look at how Goodes' playing career ended in controversy amid booing from opposition fans.

Long famously called out Collingwood ruckman Damian Monkhorst for racial abuse in the 1995 Anzac Day game, and that led directly to the AFL's racial and vilification policy.

"You don't wish that upon any player, to go through that - even as a father or mother watching," Long said of Goodes.

"But we're not going to shy away from that, it's good to have that discussion.

"We didn't shy away from it in '95, we took it head-on."

The AFL is reviewing its racial and vilification policy and Long said there is always room for improvement.

"For a guy to walk away from the game, bitter and angry - that's not what this game is about," he said of Goodes.

"So I welcome that discussion. We're not going to shy away from what we need to change.

"We're all accountable, we're all responsible."

This year's Sir Doug Nicholls round was launched at the ground named after the indigenous trailblazer in suburban Thornbury.

Long spoke eloquently and emotionally about the need for change and education, noting it's been 15 years since his famous walk towards Canberra brought national attention to indigenous issues.

He has made a massive contribution on and off the field, first as a two-time Essendon premiership player - including the 1993 Norm Smith medallist - and now as an indigenous leader.

"We don't celebrate enough and I think football is at the forefront of changing society," Long said.

"We always have our challenges, but it's always been at the forefront.

"I'm proud of football and what it's done."

Long paid tribute to late AFL executive Tony Peek, who helped drive the original vilification policy.

The latest hot topic has been the abuse of indigenous players such as Adelaide's Eddie Betts on social media.

"Social media, with IT and our kids ... it's not just sport, it's everywhere," Long said.

"Whether the racial vilification code needs to be refreshed, we need to look at that.

"We're not here to destroy people, it's not about that.

"How do we educate people? How do we change people's mindsets? That's what we're here about."

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said there had been a strong response among club executives to the Goodes documentary.

"It's been an emotional response - it's a very powerful film," he said.

Australian Associated Press