Ben Long has had a taste and wants more.

St Kilda's first pick (No. 25) in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft played four games in his maiden season, but the brief exposure only whet his appetite.

He made his debut against Collingwood in Round 4, added another game a week later, before featuring twice more later in the year.

Now midway through his second summer at Linen House Centre, the livewire forward wants to sink his teeth into more in 2018.

“That has made me want a lot more,” Long told saints.com.au on Monday afternoon.

“Those four games have given me a taste of footy and I’m hungrier than ever to be out there and play more games this year.”

After being restricted to a modified program like all first-year players in his first pre-season, Long has been left off the leash this summer, where he has flourished on an increased diet.

“I’ve done all the training so far and it’s been really tough,” he said.

“It’s starting to crank up another notch since the break and will only get tougher with our camp down in Geelong, but I’m really enjoying it.

“It’s been really hard compared to last year, but at the same time it’s really enjoyable out there with the boys.

“Matty Hornsby [High Performance Manager] and the fitness staff really monitored our program last year as first-year boys and cut us out of sessions. But this time around we’ve done much more of the program.

"I’m seeing the results with my running and building that engine of mine which is one of my goals.  

Long has worked closely with Ben McGlynn since the pair arrived at the club a month apart late in 2016 and credits the former Sydney and Hawthorn midfielder-forward for his development so far.

“I’m very close with Benny,” he said.

“He keeps a real eye on me and finds ways to help me get better in every aspect of my game, which is really good.”