Player Watch Ned Long

[Vinnie Vegas]

I was reassured about his speed when the AFL App showed he was the fastest on the ground in one of his games last year.
As his confidence grows so does every part of his game.

Knowing where to run is a lot more valuable than being quick, because running quickly in the wrong direction just gets you further from where you need to be.

There's a reason why neither Pendlebury nor Sidebottom have ever been criticised for being too slow despite obviously not having a high top speed. I'd doubt either of them were ever quicker than Long is right now.

If your fitness is top notch, you also keep running at the same speed while everyone slows down, and he's clearly got tackle-breaking strength too, so there's a number of ways to beat the issue of not being fleet of foot.

 

[manicpie]

Was his 17th game.

I was so close

 

[Kirby]

I think the adulation for Long is a bit overdone. I thought last year he was unfairly criticized, when he was just trying to find his feet. Now, with one excellent game he is the new great midfield hope. We need a little more evidence before we see him as the new Dane Swan. Keep the expectations moderate and give him a chance to work his way in.

Ok dad, I’ll turn the music down.

 

[TradeDraft]

I am not saying he has not done well, I am saying he is being overhyped. Just let him play for a bit before we start loading him up as a champion. He may well become one, but he isn't yet.

Couldn say the Same about West as only player 2 Proper VFL Games with 2 and 5 Goal Games then

 

[TradeDraft]

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I am not saying he has not done well, I am saying he is being overhyped. Just let him play for a bit before we start loading him up as a champion. He may well become one, but he isn't yet.

If anybody on the planet was talking him up like you say they have been…. Then your post would be spot on.

 

[Vicky Park]

I think the adulation for Long is a bit overdone. I thought last year he was unfairly criticized, when he was just trying to find his feet. Now, with one excellent game he is the new great midfield hope. We need a little more evidence before we see him as the new Dane Swan. Keep the expectations moderate and give him a chance to work his way in.

Your point is fair, although I don’t think anyone has suggested Ned’s the new Dane Swan.

It’s more excitement at finding a very big bodied mid who’s having an impact in games. And maybe some relief in seeing that Ned is the opposite of vanilla - we’ve had our share of the latter.

 

[DWil6]

If anybody on the planet was talking him up like you say they have been…. Then your post would be spot on.

Agree, I think the talk of him being talked up is overhyped.

 

[TW Sherrin]

I am not saying he has not done well, I am saying he is being overhyped. Just let him play for a bit before we start loading him up as a champion. He may well become one, but he isn't yet.

No one is over hyping him. Everyone is acknowledging a mid season draftee who has forced his way into the team and filled a genuine need at a pretty good level.

If he was an early draft pick he'd be getting hyped by all and sundry.

 

[Bianconeri]

I think the adulation for Long is a bit overdone. I thought last year he was unfairly criticized, when he was just trying to find his feet. Now, with one excellent game he is the new great midfield hope. We need a little more evidence before we see him as the new Dane Swan. Keep the expectations moderate and give him a chance to work his way in.

This board has dreamt of a bid bodied mid that could break tackles with ease and boss the midfield since 2012.

We’ve had many hopes in Sier, Wills, Tyler Brown but none of those out in a performance like Long did on the weekend. De Goey and Crisp have also filled the role at times but they’ve spent more of they’ve spent most of their Collingwood career in other positions.

Just let us enjoy it whilst it lasts.

 

[Kes1984]

I was so close

 

[Dtennent94]

Long live King Ned

 

[Anzacday]

I am not saying he has not done well, I am saying he is being overhyped

People are quick to put the boots into a young player, (some already have with Ned).
It’s a nice change to see some positivity.
Perhaps we could all be a bit more measured in our assessment of young/inexperienced players

 

[TW Sherrin]

People are quick to put the boots into a young player, (some already have with Ned).
It’s a nice change to see some positivity.
Perhaps we could all be a bit more measured in our assessment of young/inexperienced players

there were plenty delisting Long and Sullivan at the end of 2024.

 

[jimmy35]

I am not saying he has not done well, I am saying he is being overhyped. Just let him play for a bit before we start loading him up as a champion. He may well become one, but he isn't yet.

That’s the joy of being a supporter though, to enjoy an emerging player. What we say or don’t say on here won’t affect his career.

 

[gouki88]

That’s the joy of being a supporter though, to enjoy an emerging player. What we say or don’t say on here won’t affect his career.

Don't forget about the pleasure of making new recruits whipping boys jimmy

 

[VinnieB]

I am not saying he has not done well, I am saying he is being overhyped. Just let him play for a bit before we start loading him up as a champion. He may well become one, but he isn't yet.

Is anyone actually calling him a 'champion'?

I think we are all happy for him, and no doubt, the 2 full games his has played in this season have both been influential.
Apart from this round, the other full game he played was round 1 v Port.
He had 24 disposals, 7 tackles, and 5 clearances and 2 goal assists.

In terms of our 22 and under players (ex Naicos), this year he has shown he is the most likely to be a regular best 22.
The coach seems to think it.

 

[sr36]

there were plenty delisting Long and Sullivan at the end of 2024.

I wanted us to delist one of them. . I thought with McRae already signed we had too many one-paced VFL mids - clearly too impatient with inexperienced mature bodied players and underestimate that just like kids it takes them a while to adjust to the tempo. They're both looking really important - Long for the 22 and Sully as excellent depth who will probably play a fair bit this year and beyond.

 

[sr36]

Don't forget about the pleasure of making new recruits whipping boys jimmy

You've got to think more holistically about your whipping - if you annoint kids early, you get to whip the coaches for not picking them or players like Sullivan, WHE and until recently Long for being selected before them. I'm holding out on annointing Long as my anointment is still with Allan and anyone in his way - like Long - deserves the lash. It changes most games though - Allan is rising in my whipping sights.

 

[Pie eyed]

A comment about Sidey playing well is incredible insight into our midfield dynamic ...

I wasn't aware of it until Ned spoke up.
He should be in the media.
At least as good a Horsehead.

 

[leon123]

Is anyone actually calling him a 'champion'?

Id be too scared to call him a champ, he may misinterpret my intention

 

[Gabbo64]

Im not overrating him, but loving his new role

 

[Mkcaptain]

We've seen big bodied mids tear us apart us for years, I still remember Cunnington destroying us. So I think supporters can be excused for having so much fun with one of our blokes coming from the clouds and being an unexpected beast out of nowhere.

I'm happy to just enjoy his performances and laugh every time he gets a clearance or breaks a tackle without focussing on his kicking needing to be tidied up. You don't need to be Jock McHale to spot his weaknesses that could hold him back in the medium term. It is a good football story that I am more than happy to appreciate.

 

[Copeland]

Lets not cut him to pieces if he has a down game this week.

 

[gouki88]

Lets not cut him to pieces if he has a down game this week.

Coming up against a really tough midfield unit. McCluggage, Neale, Dunkley and Ashcroft are all very good players, and McInerney is decent at getting them first use (when he doesn't blast away before giving it off)