Dream realised: Echuca product Noah Long earns AFL debut

By Josh Huntly

Mar 15, 2023

Soaring Eagle: Echuca's Noah Long has earned a round one debut for West Coast this Saturday. Photo by Contributed

Echuca’s Noah Long has catapulted from the second-last pick of the National Draft to a round one debut for West Coast in this Saturday’s AFL season opener against North Melbourne.

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After a barnstorming pre-season, the 18-year-old will don the Eagles’ #44 jumper for the first time at Marvel Stadium, given the nod from coach Adam Simpson and skipper Luke Shuey on Tuesday night.

This comes after Long impressed during his first pre-season across the Nullarbor, sealing a remarkable rise to the top level for the Echuca young gun.

Long impressed in a series of intra-club matches after being taken at pick 58 by the Eagles, and his exploits even drew comparisons to former premiership forward Mark LeCras from ruckman Nic Naitanui in a recent interview.

It’s in that position that LeCras made his own where Long looks poised to ply his trade.

A former Echuca junior, Long was first selected for Coates Talent League (formerly NAB League) club Bendigo Pioneers in 2020, competing through under-16s, 17s, and 18s before earning selection for Victoria Country.

A collarbone injury curtailed the early part of his draft year in 2022 before returning to play a key role for Victoria on its way to a National Championships grand final, crafting a reputation as a threatening small forward.

Long will be one of four Eagles debutants alongside Campbell Chesser, Reuben Ginbey and Jayden Hunt.