STRENGTHS:

+ Kicking
+ Aerial ability
+ Hurt factor
+ Footy IQ
+ Speed-endurance mix
+ Defensive pressure

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Production
- Durability

PROFILE:

When it comes to building a prototype footballer, the traits that come to mind include size, athleticism, skill, decision making and defensive pressure. Rarely will one player have all these traits, but that is certainly the case for Long who ticks a lot of boxes across the board.

At the national carnival, the Brisbane Lions Academy wing/forward - who had only played on Talent League game - averaged 9.7 disposals, 3.0 marks, 4.0 tackles and kicked five goals. Long had a purple patch quarter in the third term against the Allies, kicking three goals and looking incredibly dangerous both in the air and at ground level.

What Long does with ball-in-hand is very impressive. Boasting a great kicking technique both in-field and when lining up for a set shot, Long is a consistent ball user with high hurt factor. At her 175cm size, Long has the height to beat most in a one-on-one contest and is quite strong in the air. Impressively if she feels the ball will be smothered, she is not afraid to tap it once before taking it cleanly on the second grab.

Once the ball hits the deck, Long is not out of it, and has the speed and ground level ability to go to work. If she cannot take it cleanly, she will apply the required defensive pressure, which she showed for the Lions Academy where she laid 11 tackles with her 14 disposals and six inside 50s.

In many ways, Long is a rare talent in this year's crop. Few have all the strengths that she has, and can deliver on a consistent basis. After her national carnival, she bolted into the top 25 on the Rookie Me Central Power Rankings, and certainly has the potential to be a first round talent.

The main question marks around Long do centre around that continuity aspect. Having not really had the same time at the elite junior level given her concussion setbacks, the Queenslander has done well to quickly adapt and have the influence she has so far. However like with anyone in Australian rules football, concussion will be an elephant in the room.

With more confidence and continuity, Long will up her production rate as well, and when she does that, watch out. Very few of Long's touches do not turn into something positive, with her skill and ability coming to the fore. Given her natural talent and size, she is a player who could develop into a number of roles across the board.

Going forward, Long is one of those players who looms as a player that could end up among the better players in the draft crop. Rated highly internally by Queensland talent staff, Long does not have the CV of some others, but when looking at her sheer traits and potential upside, it is hard to deny her talent.