Crows NGA prospect makes his move for AAMI SA U18 Team

By ZAC MILBANK

West Adelaide’s Anthony Long is looming as an X-factor for the AAMI SA U18 Team at this year’s Marsh AFL National Championships.

The First Nations utility, from Jervois near Murray Bridge, has now relocated to Adelaide as he steps up his weekly preparation for the Croweaters.

An NGA prospect for Adelaide, the strongly-built athlete is impressing AAMI SA U18 coach Tony Bamford with his commitment on and off the field within the program.

Long caught the eye in Game 1 for South Ausralia when he booted an equal game-high three goals from his eight disposals and three marks against the Sandgropers.

”He’s been trying to find a consistent, weekly routine – he’s moved down into Adelaide now and is living with a host family that West Adelaide was able to organise,” Bamford said on the Checkside Chats podcast.

”So to have to move away from mum and dad so he could get access to training more often has been a big shift for Anthony and the way he’s had to conduct himself Monday to Friday.”

Long, who has spent time training with the Crows at West Lakes as well as former Bloods junior Izak Rankine, is presenting himself as a challenging medium forward match-up in the National Championships.

”Those things that come Monday to Friday – in terms of professionalism, organisation, training standards, recovery, diet and sleep – if he gets it all right – which he’s heading in the right direction – that matched with workrate and talent – he could be anything,” Bamford said of Long, 184cm.

”He’s highly talented, there’s absolutely no question on his ability to play the game of footy but he just needed to be available to consistently train well at a higher level for longer periods of time.

”West Adelaide Talent Manager Alex Pigou, along with the Adelaide Football Club, have worked well together with Anthony’s holistic development over the past six months.

”The Crows have done a good job with Anthony as well, having Chris Trapp (SANFL Crows Academies Coach) involved in our program has been really good for Longy as well. He’s quite an exciting footballer.”