Nathan Long (rugby league)

Nathan Long (born 20 May 1973) is an Australian former rugby league footballer. He played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Northern Eagles, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the St. George Illawarra Dragons as a second-row forward.

Nathan Long

Personal information
Full name	Nathan Long
Born	(1973-05-20) 20 May 1973 (age 51) Cronulla, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height	184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	100 kg (15 st 10 lb)
Position	Second-row, Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1994–01 Cronulla-Sutherland 139 8 0 0 32 2002 Northern Eagles 11 1 0 0 4 2003 Manly-Warringah 2 0 0 0 0 2004 St. George Illawarra 1 0 0 0 0 Total 153 9 0 0 36 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2002 NSW City 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Playing career

Long made his first grade debut for Cronulla against Balmain in Round 10 of the 1994 season. In 1996, Cronulla finished 5th and reached the preliminary final against Manly before losing 24–0 with Long featuring in the match. The following year, Cronulla joined the rival super league competition and reached the grand final against Brisbane which ended in a 26–8 defeat with Long playing off the bench.

In 1999, Long was a member of the Cronulla side which claimed the minor premiership and were one of the favourites to take out the premiership along with Parramatta and St. George Illawarra. Cronulla reached the preliminary final but were defeated 24–8 against St. George Illawarra after leading at half time.^[2]

In 2001, Long made 19 appearances as Cronulla finished 4th on the table. Cronulla reached the preliminary final against Newcastle but were defeated by the eventual premiers.

In 2002, Long joined the now defunct side Northern Eagles. After the dissolution of Northern Eagles, Long was signed by Manly-Warringah in 2003. In 2004, Long joined St. George Illawarra and played one game for the club before retiring.

References.

1. Rugby League Project stats
2. "A history of heartbreak: Cronulla Sharks' tale of woe in NRL finals". The Sydney Morning Herald.