AFL games: 1
Disposals per game: 11
Marks: 7

Season summary:

Long’s progression late in the season saw him earn a call-up to the senior side for Hawthorn’s final game of the year in 2022.

Having joined the club in the rookie draft just a season ago, the big-bodied midfielder has shown plenty of upside with a willingness to learn along with a strong endurance ability.

Long impressed across his 13 games for Box Hill at VFL level, as he averaged 14.3 disposals and 5.7 tackles per game.

Best AFL game:

Long showed flashes of an exciting future the brown and gold following his debut game against the Western Bulldogs in Round 23. Long finished with 11 disposals and seven marks, as the Hawks suffered a narrow defeat.

How the coaches saw him:

“Ned has been such a diligent guy in his first year, we’re really rapt with the steps he took. For his size as a midfielder, he runs really well and covers the ground. He has a great balance of being able to run and be strong inside. He’s still learning his craft as a midfielder and it was great for him to get a taste in at AFL-level in Round 23. He definitely earned his position, and we saw that he wasn’t out of place. I thought he progressed well through the VFL and showed really good signs. He’s a great kid and really wants to learn." – Robert Harvey