Collingwood Mid-Season Rookie Draft selection Ned Long will make his Club debut on Friday night in the Magpies’ Round 17 clash against Essendon.

The midfielder debuts after being elevated from the Club’s VFL program. He was selected with Pick 19 in the Mid-Season draft after playing six games at VFL level for the Pies.

Long previously played for Hawthorn where he made his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs in Round 23, 2022 at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston. The 194cm midfielder went on to play a further four games for the Hawks in 2023 before being delisted.

In the VFL in 2024 Long has played a total of seven games, averaging 22.1 disposals and nine tackles including a whooping 17 tackles in Round One versus Sandringham.

Long played junior football for Fitzroy in the Yarra Junior Football League and NAB League for the Northern Knights prior to being drafted by Hawthorn with Pick Five in the 2022 Rookie Draft.

01:36