Player Watch Ned Long

[northcotehead]

4 above average shifts on the trot when not sub. As an inside mid. Only 22. And let's face it, we were all surprised when he was named in the team at the start of the season. The sky is the limit with this kid. And as a bonus, can kick a set shot goal from 45 in the pouring rain.

 

[NMBB]

4 above average shifts on the trot when not sub. As an inside mid. Only 22. And let's face it, we were all surprised when he was named in the team at the start of the season. The sky is the limit with this kid. And as a bonus, can kick a set shot goal from 45 in the pouring rain.

Not sure everyone here was surprised

 

[Horaceg]

Not sure everyone here was surprised

I’m pleasantly surprised, I thought he was going to be depth or a bit of a slow burn project type. Great story and at 22 will improve, how far will be a wait and see, love the trajectory he’s on.

 

[FAIRANDBALANCED]

He is what we wanted Ed Allen to be this year. With more confidence seemingly breaking more tackles too.

 

[Piesinmyeyes]

I’m pleasantly surprised, I thought he was going to be depth or a bit of a slow burn project type. Great story and at 22 will improve, how far will be a wait and see, love the trajectory he’s on.

The “Enforcer”.

 

[jimmy35]

The “Enforcer”.

The Nedinator.

 

[jimmy35]

He’ll be back.

 

[JoinDate]

Only 1 goal, 22 disposals, 7 marks and 4 tackles yesterday.

Bloke needs to lift his output.

 

[Sea fog]

I see him as a very smart player and his VCE ATAR is second only to Moore's at our club.

 

[Pendles!]

He’s only going to improve too I reckon.

 

[northcotehead]

Could be wrong but I reckon when he was on the pine the bombers seemed to get a run on.

 

[ipswichpies]

You can tell just by looking at him that he starting to get more confidence and starting to believe he really does belong at AFL level and kicking goals and score assists. ATM everything is on an upward trend for him and he is a really important player for the Pies as nobody else at this time is able to provide the grunt he does but he is becoming much more this he is dobbing goals also which he probably would not even had attempted before.

Only 22 and contracted for the next 2yrs he could be a massive plus for us and even more for ND who I think will also be great for Ned 22 posi,s in 67% game and some of that time was not in the middle where I thinks he does his best work, super happy for ned and he is showing a totally different trajectory to Ginnivan who unfortunately is going in the opposite direction,sad for Jack but fantastic for us and that is all we need to worry about.

 

[Vankri]

What’s interesting about him is that he is really unselfish. The number of times he just blocks for others to go at the ball or goes to ground knowing all he can do is slightly impact the momentum of the ball without being able to get a touch is a great trait for his role in the team. Considering his size and skills it’s probably a product of having been rejected by a club and a tough journey to becoming an AFL starter. Great for us as that’s what we need considering Nick and Sidey’s roles and form and Jordy’s too in a different way (played a lot of mid secand nd half but not winning his own ball).

 

[Kappa]

Funny how he is a poor kick around the ground but a deadeye in front of the sticks, while Nick is almost the opposite

 

[OniAu]

Love his vision when he has the ball , always trys to hit up an outside runner in good advantage. Even seen him not give Nick the pill in a situation where Nick wasnt the best option. Would be easy to get sucked into that and just give the ball to him

 

[Kes1984]

Could be wrong but I reckon when he was on the pine the bombers seemed to get a run on.

Yes I thought I was observing his number up on the sign above the bench for a bit during that period.

 

[stormskye]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2025-collingwoods-ned-long-details-his-impressive-afl-revival/news-story/120b9a7e38e8d93a41c6d47f5052106b

 

[Jen2310]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2025-collingwoods-ned-long-details-his-impressive-afl-revival/news-story/120b9a7e38e8d93a41c6d47f5052106b

He’s a modest kid.

 

[riddick78]

What a story!!! To make it in a midfield with players like, Naicos, DeGoey, Pendles, Steele, Crisp, Perryman. And to play well against, Brisbane, Sydney, Port etc. And he makes Naicos shine a little brighter, if that's even possible. He's been a fantastic pick up and he works he's arse off and gives 110% and he's been rewarded for that hard work.

 

[thebaldfacts]

Also love that he is a great set shot at goal. A very reliable shot at goal.

 

[Pistol Night]

 

[Anzacday]

He’s a modest kid.

He’s very much underselling himself.
I reckon many of us miss the little knock ons, blocks etc he provides.
A case in point for me - Nick’s kick to Jordy for his mark/goal in the 3rd.
Ned ran alongside the chaser and just made his life difficult.

 

[901023]

Love Ned. Him brutalising Carlton was magnificent.

 

[Hong Kong Pie]

From Cal Twomey's piece today at AFL.com.au; an interesting nugget about Ned in there (in bold) i did not know...

"After the second-straight season cut short by COVID in Victoria, scouts were keen on getting as much insight into draft prospects as they could, so player agency Connors Sports Management organised a running session for their draft crop. Clubs could come and watch for a final piece of their recruiting puzzle.

Josh Rachele, Jake Soligo, Connor Macdonald, Darcy Wilmot, Josh Sinn, Tyler Sonsie and Campbell Chesser were among the players there that day.

By then, Nick Daicos knew he was headed to Collingwood as a father-son. But, having not played since July of that year, and nursing an ankle injury through the year, he viewed the running session as a last chance to impress. He didn't – and doesn't – usually miss too many of those.

So he flew around the track in their 2km time trial. As other prospects wilted, the 18-year-old Daicos glided. "It still sticks in my head," said one recruiter there. "We hadn't seen him do anything like it before. Everyone was in awe of his games and class, but his running probably went under the radar until that day.

Daicos finished second in that time trial. Coincidentally, he was beaten by Ned Long, who went on to be rookie-listed by Hawthorn, then delisted and then get a second chance at Collingwood, where he is now a key cog in the Magpies' midfield next to Daicos."

 

[Hong Kong Pie]

He’s very much underselling himself.
I reckon many of us miss the little knock ons, blocks etc he provides.
A case in point for me - Nick’s kick to Jordy for his mark/goal in the 3rd.
Ned ran alongside the chaser and just made his life difficult.

Yep, watching him during that game,and apart from his own attack on the ball he seemed to wanna be Nick's bodyguard at times, really working at the team defence, selfless stuff. Offers so much, really hope he can keep it up.