Ned and Ben Long.
Not traditionally household names in respect to their clubs, but are quickly becoming the face of what they could achieve in 2025.
Starting with the Collingwood sensation, who turned around a delisting from Hawthorn to quickly become a pivotal part of Craig McRae's midfield.
The absence of Tom Mitchell, coupled with the revamped roles of veterans Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, whilst also having an eye on the future, has opened a vacancy for the bullocking onballer.
The seven matches Long played in 2024, after being taken in the Mid-Season Draft, yielded a player ratings average of 4.17 (per WheeloRatings). Admittedly, two of those were as the sub.
But his return on investment has seen the Pies' stocks skyrocket into premiership favourtism, returning to play in all 12 matches thus far, whilst starting as the sub in three of the first four.
Since, Long has been a revelation in the club's drive toward its second flag in three years.
The improvement from the 22-year-old has seen a major jump in his average player ratings, currently sitting at 11.24 in 2025.
His namesake at the Gold Coast, Ben Long, has also produced dramatic improvements in his game, which has helped push the Queensland club to a maiden finals campaign.
The former Saint has climbed from 7.4 player ratings points last year to 13.03, ranking him slightly behind North Melbourne's Paul Curtis for general forwards in the AFL.
In 10 outings, Long has kicked 23 goals, averaging 6.6 score involvements, 2.8 marks inside 50, 2.0 tackles and 12.3 pressure acts.
Suns coach Damien Hardwick also, at times, utilises the 27-year-old in a defensively-minded forward role, pushing him to the opposition's best stoppers to curb their influence, whilst also punishing them going the other way.
The pair of Longs has quickly become significant contributors for their sides, and they could have a large say on the fortunes of 2025.
