Former Northern Knight Ned Long will get a second chance at an AFL career, picked up by Collingwood in the AFL mid-season draft.
Long, who was rookie listed by Hawthorn in 2021, played five games for the Hawks before being delisted at the end of last year.
He signed with Collingwood’s Victorian Football League side with the move playing off.
The Magpies, with their second pick on Wednesday night, selected Long to join the senior program.
Speaking at a press conference after being picked up, Long said he was pumped to get another crack and was excited by the opportunity.
“I’m really excited by another chance,” he said. “Couldn’t have gone to a better club.
“Obviously being part of the VFL program, I think it makes it an easier transition.”
Long said the goal was always to get back into the AFL system. He said there were no guarantees when he moved to the Magpies that a senior opportunity would be on the horizon.
“They said they really value the connection between their VFL program and AFL program,” he said.
“They said there may be chances in terms of training and stuff, it turned out really well.”
Long said being able to train with the AFL program had helped him keep a gauge on the intensity and skill level at AFL, while helping his VFL form.
He said being out of the AFL system had taught him a lot.
“The biggest thing, [is] outside of footy how many other things you can do and not that footy isn’t important, it’s my number one goal at the moment,” he said.
“Having that balance in terms of other things going on in life, study and work, it keeps footy being fun.”
Long, who is currently battling a calf complaint, said he would be back from injury in a couple of weeks.
