Ben Long Biography

After years of bouncing between positions at St Kilda, Ben Long is keen to make the backline home at Gold Coast.

"My position definitely fluctuated at the Saints, but I feel like I still had an impact there," Long said.

"Part of the (reason for the) move was just not being settled. I was thrown around a bit over my time there and it was more to see where I could play my best footy … and that's down in defence."

The Saints trade Ben Long and a future fourth-round pick to Gold Coast in exchange for Pick 32.

Saint Ben Long requests a move to Gold Coast.

"Ben has had a contract offer from the Club for a number of months now, so we're naturally disappointed to receive this news, particularly as we believe Ben has a lot of good football in front of him," St Kilda's Head of List Management James Gallagher said in a statement.

"While the option to stay at the Saints remains, and we would be disappointed to see Ben go, we will work with the Suns to see if an appropriate trade can be reached."

Ben Long will miss St Kilda's semi-final clash with Richmond after the Saints' appeal of his one-game suspension for rough conduct against Jack Macrae failed.

Ben Long accepts a three-match ban after pleading guilty to a rough conduct charge following his bump on Fremantle's Sean Darcy that left the ruckman concussed and with lingering neck pain.

Paddy McCartin is still experiencing concussion symptoms three weeks after his most recent head knock, with the club conceding he won't be back for some time.

McCartin suffered his eighth concussion since 2014 in the Saints' second pre-season game against the Western Bulldogs, after copping a hip from teammate Ben Long.

Ben Long signs a new three-year deal with St Kilda to remain at the club until the end of 2022.

"Before the foot injury, Ben really showcased the type of player he can become for the Saints," St Kilda list manager James Gallagher said.

"He's predominantly played as a forward in his career to date but has the ability to play in a variety of positions with his speed and skill."

Ben Long plays host to his third and fourth-year St Kilda teammates as they head to the Northern Territory to kick-start their pre-season campaign.

"It sort of hit me, in terms of the club coming to me and saying 'Can you take us up to Darwin and show us where you've come from?'," Long said.

"My family background, coming from the Tiwi Islands, was a great experience, and it meant a lot to me for the club to be doing that."

Ben Long is attracting interest from Melbourne and Essendon, the club his dual premiership-winning uncle Michael won a Norm Smith Medal at 25 years ago.

The 21-year-old's reported preference is to stay at the Saints and he is contracted for 2019, but his name has been raised in trade discussions this week.

Ben Long will be out for up to 10 weeks after he suffered a fractured metatarsal in his right foot.

Long reported soreness after St Kilda's loss to Melbourne at Etihad Stadium and was found to have suffered a fracture in his third metatarsal.

Ben Long earns St Kilda's first AFL Rising Star nomination in two seasons, tallying 15 disposals and 8 tackles while also kicking a crucial goal in the Saints' draw with GWS.

Ben Long signs a one-year contract extension with St Kilda that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

"Growing up, watching teams run out in front of thousands of people – when I got to do it myself, it really hit home how far I've come since junior footy in Darwin," Long said.

"It's been great to get a taste of senior footy this year and I'm really keen to improve and hopefully cement my place in the side."

Ben Long makes his AFL debut for St Kilda at Docklands Stadium with 8 disposals (6 kicks and 2 handballs), 2 marks and 2 tackles in a 14-point win over Collingwood.

St Kilda select Ben Long with pick No.25 in the 2016 National Draft.

"Ben can play at both ends of the ground as a flanker," St Kilda recruiting manager Tony Elshaug said.

"He's tough, wins a good ground ball, he tackles very strongly and has a good attack on the ball. He's also a good kick, has good speed and can go lateral.

"We were pleased with his Championships and then at Melbourne Grammar in between, but then he stepped up to Footscray in the VFL and played some good footy there. We just thought each time he played he improved."