Ned Long days as Collingwood's substitute are numbered, with coach Craig McRae praising the former Hawk as a midfield "beast" after a breakout showing.
Long was among the pivotal players on the ground for the Magpies in their 31-point win over Sydney on Friday night in their Gather Round clash, extending their streak to 10 straight wins at Adelaide Oval.
He had 29 disposals (17 contested), nine clearances, 10 score involvements and six tackles as the Pies' midfield, with Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom also important, slashed through the Swans. It came on the back of Long being the Pies' starting substitute for three of their first four games of the season.
"I don't think he'll be sub for a while. His game was remarkable right from the start. His contest work is so strong, he's such a beast at the contest and if he's not winning it himself he's getting it back," McRae said post-game.
"We just rewarded him inside (the rooms after the game). It was hard to tell him a couple of weeks in a row he was the sub but tonight it was 'Just go and enjoy it, mate' and he's elevated our midfield.
"He's had a full pre-season, a year of growth in himself and we believe in him enormously. He complements our group right now, he adds pressure and you saw tonight he's going to be hard to stop when he plays like that."
As will McRae's Pies, who were far too good for the Swans across the evening, showing class and polish in attack, speed across the ground and boasting an array of experienced players all in good form. It sees them head to Brisbane to face 2024 premiers the Lions on Easter Thursday next week in one of the heavyweight bouts of the season so far.
"It's going to be a great game. They're going to be hard to beat. We'll stay here for a minute, we've got six days to get ready for that. We'll watch Brisbane tomorrow and go up there with good confidence," he said.
COLLINGWOOD 4.3 10.7 13.11 16.13 (109)
SYDNEY 4.1 8.2 10.4 12.6 (78)
GOALS
Collingwood: Elliott 3, Hill 3, Mihocek 3, McCreery 2, Crisp, Hoskin-Elliott, McStay, Membrey, Sullivan
Sydney: McLean 3, Heeney 2, Hanily 2, Co.Warner 2, Campbell, Hayward, Sheldrick
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Ed Allan (replaced Jamie Elliott in the second quarter)
Sydney: Angus Sheldrick (replaced Joel Amartey in the second quarter)
Crowd: 47,649 at Adelaide Oval
