Or possibley he left as they offered him more than a one year deal?

Why?

That's what I said.

All this ageing non-sence is crap.

I'll give you an example... Brett Kimmorley has signed for the Bulldogs this year and taken them from bottom team last year to top team this year. Granted there has been a few other good signings at the Dogs but he is the main reason behind our rise in fortune.

Age doesnt mean a thing. Class is permanent.

AKA PAUL COOKE

Following the start of Daniel Anderson's reign, Long turned into a very competent 1st reciever - able to play a short game with his forward runners and knowing when to spread the play wide with the teams game plan. He has also developed an excellent long kicking game which has sown up some very big games for us (2006 GF and CCF against Hudds for example). Add to that the confidence and character to try brave plays and barrack team mates when they're not up to scratch and the fact I still reckon he's got that "big game player" lurking within him, then Hull could have picked up a pretty shrewd signing to give their team a little extra adhesion.

His problem of late has been consistency, and a move to a new club may help him focus a little extra to help on that front.

He won't have to kick goals, which he'll like.

ATEOTD, his f'ing miles better than chris thorman, regardless of age or wage.

I do worry about his living arrangements? Travelling from South Lancs to Hull everyday isn't exactly easy, and goodness knows what'll happen if he gets digs up there away from his wife and kids (reputation would suggest his party boy side could come out).

Above all, I'd like to say thanks for some great memories from this guy. He's a guy who's always worked to improve his game and turned in countless great performances for the Saints. He's stepped up to the plate when its mattered and had a great rappor with the fans. He's certianly earned his fair share of the admission charges.
Players qulaity can often be judged on how much they annoy other teams speccies, and i reckon Long is top of that table by a mile and a half.

I have to disagree with you on that one. Ages is a hughe factor. IIRC my A-Level science correctly the Male body is at it's peak from 21-26. I would belive with modern training techniques, a sportsman can keep their body at top level into their early to mid 30's but after that age starts to take its toll.

I believe the reason some sportmens can keep going into their lates 30's is their mental agility.

Really? I would say, from watching, that most players are at their physical peak around 28. From playing amature sport, I'd say later, 30-31 (certainly in terms of strength and anaerobic fitness as opposed to aerobic [iI always assumed that was because a pro playing carrer took its toll more than an amature's.[/i).

So I take it you when in the very small minority that were upset when cunningham re-signed for saints and the end of last season?

I bet Long ends up retired injured before his two years is up. Just reminds me of Paul Newlove going as an OAP to Cas. He didn't last long.

Oh dear. Reading other posts on here, Long is made good by this rabble.

Wellens – Crap and slow. Briscoe is miles better than him
Gardener – Only any cop because Gidley is his centre
Gidley – OK, but over the hill
Gilmour – Shot it. Will be off at the end of the season
Meli – Rubbish. Always makes mistakes
Pryce – Overated
Graham – Would’nt be any good ion the NRL
Cunningham – Past it
Hargreaves – Others make him look good
Wilkin – Overated, people make him look decent and he isn’t as good as Ben Westwood
Puletua – NRL reject
Flannery – Nothing player

He must be some player. Or is it the red and white eye specs that can’t see quality.

What are you on about? That's the complete opposite of what I was getting at. My point was that it's the quality of those players around him that allow Long to shine as he does. Or do you think he'll be just as good in Hull's team?

Brett Kimmorely is running the show in Aus so it can't be that much of a factor. You forget that with age comes exeperience and the experience helps make some better players.