The Gold Coast SUNS have acquired the services of 25-year-old Ben Long after a trade was secured with St Kilda today.

The SUNS have also secured St Kilda’s future fourth round draft selection in the trade, and have parted ways with selection 32 in the upcoming 2022 NAB AFL Draft.

Long has played 79 games in six seasons with St Kilda, including 19 this year.

During his time in the AFL, Long has proven his ability to play at either end of the ground, as a running half-back or pressuring half-forward.

GC SUNS General Manager of Player Talent and Strategy Craig Cameron said Long would help the club in defence next season.

“We identified Ben as a player who could come in and shore up our half-back stocks, especially given we will be missing a couple of best 22 players from there early next season,” Cameron said.

“He will be able to play in a lockdown role but also has the ability to win the football well as a rebound defender.

“We see Ben as a great fit for our club given his toughness around the contest, and he comes to us with some valuable experience at AFL level.”

Originally from Darwin, Long is a proud Anmatyerre man and joins a host of Territorians on the SUNS AFL list including Malcom Rosas Jnr, Joel Jeffrey and Sandy Brock.

The trade with St Kilda is the club’s first deal of the Continental Tyres Trade Period which will run until Wednesday October 12.