From delisted Hawk to gun Pies midfielder, Ned Long wouldn’t change a thing about his AFL path

Ned Long not only went from a delisted Hawk to a gun midfielder for the Pies, he also still works in the tech industry. He opens up on his AFL journey and how wouldn’t change a thing.

Powerful Collingwood midfielder Ned Long wouldn’t change anything about his AFL journey, not even being delisted by Hawthorn at the end of the 2023 season.

As challenging as that setback was, Long credits that career crossroads moment as the fuel that has driven him to where he is right now – locked into an inside mid role with the premiership favourites with a deal that rolls through until the end of 2027.

He’s grateful for all that has come his way, and not angry at being squeezed out of the Hawks 18 months ago, after being told other mids were ahead of him in the pecking order.

“I really wouldn’t have it any other way,” Long said this week as the Magpies prepared to take on a resurgent Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday.

“There were obviously some tough times, but it actually makes you stronger and it builds your character.

Ned Long wouldn’t change anything about his AFL journey. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think (leaving Hawthorn) has not only helped me have some perspective, it has helped to build my football as well.

“Going through challenges and difficult circumstances, it builds you to be better and I’m really happy with the way it has turned out.”

Long has played all but one Collingwood match since his round 17 debut in black and white last year after receiving a midseason draft lifeline.

Better still, after spending two games as the sub earlier this season, the 22-year-old has elevated his game to a new level this year and become a first-choice midfielder for the Pies, crucial to the mix.

It’s something he doesn’t take for granted, and intends to keep working as hard as ever.

“The last six to 18 months have been a bit up and down and it is a nice feeling where you have finally got some security, which I guess I haven’t had in the past,” he said of the extended Pies’ deal he has for two more seasons.

“But that doesn’t mean everything is done. I’m quite aspirational about improving myself and getting better. I definitely have things I want to work on.”

As part of that desire to keep perspective, Long was one of the Collingwood players who recently volunteered at the club’s Magpie Nest cafe, a service that offers Melbourne’s homeless free breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as other services.

“It just gives you a perspective of how fortunate we are, not just playing here at Collingwood and in the AFL, but more broadly in society,” he said.

“People are going through some tough times and to share a few moments with them, it’s nice to be able to do that.”

The Magpie Nest provides more than 104,000 free meals per year – more than the attendance at last year’s grand final.

Collingwood is bringing the Magpie Nest Cafe to the MCG on Sunday, with 500 clients of the cafe heading to the Fremantle game for a warm meal.

DELISTED BY THE HAWKS

Long had played only five AFL games for the Hawks – one in 2022 and four in 2023 – when he was delisted, alongside Lachie Bramble.

Bramble has gone on to find a new home with the Western Bulldogs, while Long had to work his way through half a season of VFL before getting a chance with the Magpies through last year’s midseason draft.

He had several conversations with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell through that 2023 season, working on his deficiencies as well as the attributes that served him well.

Asked the reason for his delisting, Long said: “It wasn’t too clear. We had chatted through the year about the things I needed to be better at and work on, as well as the things I was doing well. It was obviously an emotional time.”

Long managed five games with the Hawks. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

“But in regards to getting into the team, and staying in the team, it ended up being a position where we just spoke about ‘there’s a lot of young mids coming through and you can’t keep everyone’, and I had some poor performances and I guess some down games towards the end of that season.

“That’s the way it goes sometimes.”

He isn’t angry with the way it turned out, saying: “I really liked my time at Hawthorn … I thought I developed a lot when I was there.

“We had some really good mids … and we were healthy and it was actually a tough team to crack into in that ‘23 year.

“I probably didn’t take my chances and Hawthorn had to make some tough calls and that’s just the way it goes. I don’t hold anything against them. I think it has helped me develop in the long run.

“There are plenty of stories of a similar vein where it doesn’t work out at one club for whatever reason and whether it is a new club environment or realising how lucky you are, a lot of things play into it. But you can really change your fortunes.”

FINDING A HOME

Long missed out on a rookie role at Collingwood at the start of 2024, but worked patiently through the club’s VFL system while working for data tech company PMY.

“(PMY) do data tech in sports and events, they do stuff all across the world,” he said.

“My aspect of the business was fan intelligence … the Australian Open – what time people come in, where they go, and what time they leave, and getting some of those insights back to Tennis Australia.”

He still works part-time for PMY and is doing a commerce degree, but his time there has changed since being drafted as the penultimate live pick in the 2024 midseason draft – at No. 19.

Long still works for data tech company, PMY. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Long couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity that was presented from Collingwood.

“I guess I pride myself on my work ethic and resilience but I cannot speak more highly of Collingwood – the environment, the coaches, the staff and the players. They have played such a healthy role in making me thrive.

“It is a really amazing place to develop and play footy.”

Of his coach Craig McRae, Long said: “One of Fly’s biggest strengths is his ability to instil belief in his players and I have definitely felt that.

“He has continued to give me the opportunity which has allowed me to grow, he has combined that with some really positive talk, embracing and highlighting my strengths and encouraging those.”

TAKING THE MOMENTS

Long played the last seven games last year, with the continuity of regular footy suiting him.

He started as the sub in Opening Round, but responded strongly with 24 disposals against Port Adelaide the following week.

He had one more game as the sub against Carton but after a breakout game against Sydney – 29 touches (17 contested) – McRae insisted Long’s time as the sub was over.

“I played the whole game as a mid in round 1 against Port Adelaide and I felt like it was a real stepping stone for me. A few of those games were belief builders.”

So has he changed from the young Hawk who just couldn’t get a regular slot?

“I’m largely the same player, you can’t change completely,” he said.

Long’s breakout game against Sydney ended his time as the sub. Picture: Michael Klein

“But I have improved in a lot of areas. There has been a big focus, particularly this year, on what I am good at, and my strengths and focusing on that.”

“I have been spending a lot of time and energy on improving my strength, my power, my hands, my contest work, my physicality and my body work.

“I guess that simpler focus has led to better performances and keeping it a bit clear and focusing on my strength and getting better.”

Long is averaging almost 20 disposals per game with his grunt work and tackling off the charts. He has laid 121 tackles this year, 40 ahead of the next best at the club in Jack Crisp.

He was rewarded in March with a deal until the end of 2027, with the Magpies likely to override that cheap as chips deal and add more to the bottom line, given his strong form this season.

LOOKING AFTER NICK

Long has played a big role in clearing a pathway for Nick Daicos as well as getting the ball out to the Brownlow Medal favourite from contested situations.

“I like to think that I am selfless and team-first, the main thing I care about is winning, and there are a lot of parts that go into that,” he said.

“Obviously Nick is an incredible player. He is having an amazing year. He gets plenty of attention from the oppo week in and week out and if I can help free him up, that’s great.

“One of the things that has made us a strong midfield group is our balance. Nick is unbelievable, but we’ve had games where Steele (Sidebottom) has been best-on, or ‘Crispy’ (Jack Crisp), Pendles, and Darcy Cameron have dominated, even Josh (Daicos) last week.

“I just try to fill in whatever gaps I can to help.”

Tom Mitchell has been managed this week after consecutive AFL games, but Long disputes the outside theory that the pair can’t fit into the same Magpies team.

“I don’t think there are any limitations … it is just what works out and what gets us in a good balance,” he said. “We’ve done that with Tommy, so I don’t think there is any danger there.”

MAGPIE NEST AT THE ‘G

Collingwood is bringing the Magpie Nest Cafe to the MCG on Sunday where 500 clients from the Cafe will have a warm meal and enjoy a game of football

In the heart of the CBD, the Magpie Nest Cafe provides free breakfast, lunch and dinner for Melbourne’s homeless, as well as other services

Players and staff regularly volunteer their time to help prepare meals, serve food and assist the Cafe staff.

For only $5, you can help provide a meal for someone who can’t afford it.

Visit community.collingwoodfc.com.au to donate to the Magpie Nest Cafe.