A return to his half-back roots saw Ben Long transform into one of St Kilda's most exciting players entering its new era under Brett Ratten.
Quick off the mark, elite with his ball use and utilising his harrowing presence in the defensive end, the No. 21 entrenched himself in the Saints' young backline alongside Hunter Clark, Nick Coffield and Ben Paton.
A Mark of the Year contender added to his highlights reel in Round 1, but the subsequent fall saw him injure his ankle significantly.
Ordinarily, the setback would have ruled Long out for several weeks, but with the season shutdown bringing the League to a standstill, the zippy defender was ready to go for Round 2.
Long led the Saints for intercepts and reeled in another incredible hanger against the Blues, before being rubbed out for three weeks for a high bump on Fremantle's Sean Darcy.
Long was selected by St Kilda with pick No. 25 in the 2016 National Draft.
