Long

[Templar]

Enjoyed Ben Long's role in the Sun's win versus Esseddon tonight, a player I'd reckon Ross Lyon would like, but alas... great to see him going good though

[Scollop]

Amazing finish for the Suns. The coming of age of Mac Andrew.

Wasted opportunity for Essendon in the last quarter...19 inside 50s. Suns only had 8 inside 50s. 10 scoring shots for only 1.9 vs 2 scoring shots for 2 majors to the Suns

Ben Long had the most goal assists from any player on the night with 3 GA's. 9 x inside 50's for Ben. He started strongly but faded in that last quarter.

The poster who's handle is often confused as being based on junk food...disagrees that Long is going good

[SaintPav]

Long is being played in his right position and he’s older and probably a bit more mature.

Ratten moved him around too much. He was never a half back.

[Scollop]

Long is being played in his right position and he’s older and probably a bit more mature.

Ratten moved him around too much. He was never a half back.

He performed admirably in the half back role in 2020. His stats compare favourably against his peers for that role in that particular year when the game time was shortened.

In his last ever game for St Kilda he took 17 marks playing off a half back flank. 5 contested marks. 27 disposals.13 intercept possessions. 346 metres gained. He had 11 contested disposals. He had 3 x inside 50's and scored a goal. His disposal efficiency was 96%

Yeah...sh*t footballer

[SaintPav]

Fair point

[Scollop]

Fair point

Agree with you about the maturity factor.

Good to watch when he let's rip with a bone crunching bump or tackle

Love his aggression. It's quite evident how he still sometimes has to hold back his natural instincts.

[samuraisaint]

I knew we would regret having to let Long go.
He definitely showed enough when he was with us that he was going to be a star.
Without him the Suns don't win last night.
Unfortunately, he wanted to move there to be closer to family so we can't really deny him that, however I think if RL had signed on as coach, Ben may not have left.
I think we should start looking at some of the Suns' younger midfielders now, as I think they will be gettable.

[CURLY]

Just as likely to do something stupid rather than good.

[The Fireman]

I wanted him to stay and was amazed..well not amazed at the negativity towards him on here.

[SaintWiki]

Each time I see him playing for the Suns these I days sigh.

[samoht]

And, I'm now wondering at what point all this sighing or pining for Long can start being described as "Longing," SaintWiki?

[The Fireman]

The love for him certainly wasn't evident when he was with us on here.
SS.. full of footy experts.

[samoht]

The love for him certainly wasn't evident when he was with us on here.
SS.. full of footy experts.

I dont know about love, but Scollop has consistently been a fan of his, could see his good points.
He was always "Long", Long (in trading jargon).
One of us got him right ...

[Killa]

In regard Long, the former coaches' children had Long's number on their attire - having had Cyril's at Hawthorn

IF Brett had dropped Long he was in for some pay back at home.

Further, on a pre-season training block in the top end, Long set the cultural program for that training block.

His decision to move north was for family reasons and St Kilda lost a versatile and valuable player.

[B.M]

What family did he have on the Gold Coast?

Doubt any

He wanted to leave for a better contract, and we were happy to move him on - probably a mistake?

What did we get for him??

[Yorkeys]

Possibly shows the multiplier effect of having a lot of talented players around. Others improve.

For most of his time with us Ben was pretty ordinary, marked by brain fades, occasionally brilliant, always tough and now it seems - in comparison with Hardwick - was poorly coached. Hardwick's influence on Ben and Mac Andrew shows impressive coaching.

I am just trying to recall any of our coaches trying radical change to improve a player's output - and it has worked. Maybe the use of Cooper Sharman, occasional move of Battle forward. Maybe our coaches haven't had the luxury of being able to experiment.

Stuart Dew got Ben, I wonder if he could supply his assessment notes on all our list. See how it compares with our coaches".

[B.M]

Maybe he’s just having a pretty good year? Playing a role

It wasn’t too long ago he was in GCs reserves

[The Fireman]

Maybe he’s just having a pretty good year? Playing a role

It wasn’t too long ago he was in GCs reserves

maybe or maybe some saw the potential.

[D.B.Cooper]

What family did he have on the Gold Coast?

Doubt any

He wanted to leave for a better contract, and we were happy to move him on - probably a mistake?

What did we get for him??

Long and future 4th for #32.

#32 which became #35 and Hotton.
We also had #31 which became Van Es.

We gave them a 4th round pick which was points banking for their academy players.

[B.M]

Looking like a loss at this stage

[The Fireman]

He is tough and hard at the ball and man ,something we needed desperately
It was only a matter of time that he skills would improve and his position on the ground found
I mentioned once he’ll take Mark of the year hasn’t happened yet but watch this space

Ps isn’t it? Great to see the blues being taken apart by the Hawks.

[The G Train Legacy]

He was always a forward. Ratten unfortunately kept him at half back and so did Dew when he went to the Gold Coast. Hardwick has played him in his right position and he has flourished. He is a loss.

[perfectionist]

He was one of the last picked at the Saints as he is at the Suns. No great loss.

[Scollop]

He was one of the last picked at the Saints as he is at the Suns. No great loss.

Was!!! You want to ignore what he is now ...

You have a history of making the wrong call on players. With Jack Steven you found a flaw and branded him a 'Dud'. I thought at least with Long you'd appreciate his kicking accuracy - off both sides.

Coaches can't ignore skills and can't ignore a player's ability to impact games.

Anyhow....CURLY agrees with you.

[SaintPav]

2 months ago no biggie.

Looking like a loss now but he will need to replicate tgis form consistently over the next season or two.

Hotton is still an unknown but not looking good