Joel Jeffrey and Ben Long excited for Gold Coast Suns Darwin clashes
The Territory’s own Ben Long will have been put through the paces this week to ensure he’s back in time to play in the Gold Coast’s return to the Top End against the Bulldogs.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Territory’s own Ben Long will have been put through the paces this week to ensure he’s back in time to play in the Gold Coast Suns match against the Bulldogs in Darwin.
Long has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season booting 14 goals from the opening six games with an average of 12 disposals to nail down his spot.
However, he was sidelined in the Suns Q-Clash loss against Brisbane with a hamstring injury and is on watch ahead of his hometown doubleheader.
But Long has been impressed with the Gold Coast’s performances to date, which except for losses to Richmond and Brisbane, has set them up for a potential first finals run.
“It’s definitely been good vibes so far and folks around the group have had a really great start to the season despite the one or two hiccups,” Long said.
“Our match against Sydney where we didn’t have a great start to the game showed our ability to respond and come out firing in the third quarter, something we can take confidence from.
“We had to come back but when it came down to it we responded and got the job done in the end.”
Now it’s on to Darwin where the Territorian has only enjoyed success since joining from St Kilda and he will want to be in the side again to run out in front of his community.
“The Darwin game is always something us boys are grateful and excited to play in every year and want to be in,” Long said.
“To have the opportunity to go up and play in Darwin in front of friends and family is not something we get all that often so it’s great when it comes around.
“And this year to have different teams come up that are difficult is great for the community and the fan base up there that supports the Suns, it’s special for them.”
Long is one of many Territory connected players in the Gold Coast Suns and even played alongside Daniel Rioli in juniors.
Rioli recently joined the side from Richmond.
Now they will get to run out together at TIO Stadium as AFL players, with Joel Jeffrey another Territory-born player who has cemented his place in the mix.
“It’s awesome to have Daniel come across to the club, he’s been successful and won premierships,” Long said.
“He brings so much experience and bounce off the back line and I love playing with him.
“And Joel has taken his game to another level, he’s growing in that space and it’s really good to see him going well.
“For me I feel I’ve started the season well and playing along guys like Ben Ainsworth and Ben King has helped, I love playing with them boys.
“They’ve helped me find a place where I’m in really good form and just trying to keep it consistent each week to play my part in the team.”
‘Special’: Jeffrey locked in for Territory games after terrific season start
Territorian Joel Jeffrey has found himself a mainstay of the Gold Coast Suns this season, locking down his place in the side during its successful start to 2025.
And with a double header in Darwin next on the agenda, he’s ready to show his best in front of his home supporters.
Jeffrey made his debut for the Suns at the tail end of the 2021 season after a shining junior career with NTFL club Wanderers.
Due to injury, his game time was curtailed in his early seasons, but under Damien Hardwick, Jeffrey’s second Suns coach, he was able to lock down his position.
The Suns sit fourth on the ladder heading into their Darwin matches, with seven games played compared to the eight most sides currently boast.
“It’s been a great start to the season, it’s great winning but we’ve worked hard from preseason onwards to get to this stage,” Jeffrey said.
“Last year under Dimma was very much about learning a new system and now it’s all starting to come together for us.
“We’ve gained a lot of confidence from last year and now people are starting to notice what we can do and how damaging we can be on the field against good sides.”
For Jeffrey, building his tank to win the battles in his defensive hybrid role has been a big focus and the likes of Dan Rioli and John Noble joining the Suns fold has been huge for his development.
“Personally I worked hard on my running game, to get fitter and build my tank to develop my defensive game and be more competitive in the one on ones,” he said.
“I’m playing a hybrid role now as both a small and tall so I’ve worked really hard, and with those guys in the side they’ve given me flexibility to add other things to my game.
“I’m learning a lot from Daniel, he’s won premierships with Richmond so to see how he goes about his games and to see how he works behind the scene to show his skills on the field has been great.”
The Suns are coming off a loss in the Q-Clash to the Lions, only their second defeat of the season, but in Darwin they’ve got an unbeaten record to defend.
These two won’t come easy with the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn both having strong seasons of their own, but for Jeffrey and the other Territorians in the side, this is a homecoming.
“The boys always look forward to these two game, we love coming home and playing in front of friends and family,” he said.
“We’ve got a feel for it now having been there a few years in a row and we hope to get the two wins while showing the community and next generation some quality footy they can aspire to.
“I say it every year but I get goosebumps running out on the field and looking over my shoulder and seeing my family, it’s special and something I’ll hold in my heart for the rest of my life.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Joel Jeffrey and Ben Long excited for Gold Coast Suns Darwin clashes
Billions underspent in the Territory as Labor hunkers down for new term
Prime Minister Albanese has been called out for billions of dollars in broken Territory promises. Read what they are.
‘Giant of the game’: AFLNT hall of famer remembered
A legend of the Northern Territory game, Tony Shaw, has been remembered for his passion and leadership with an influence spanning generations.