The Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union's community partnership manager, Long, first played for the Hastings premiers in 2011 with a couple appearances off the bench while playing for the club's development grade team which won all 19 of their games that season.
"That was one of my better years because it was a team which didn't lose. The 2012 season was my best with the premiers because we made the final but it was also my biggest low because we lost the final," Long said referring to a 26-13 loss to Havelock North.
Since 2012 Hastings have missed out on the semifinals in the Maddison Trophy.
"We always gave us a chance to be there but at some stage in the season we would let ourselves down which made it hard. Having to rely on other results going our way like we are this week is not a good position to be in," Long said.
The inaugural winner of the People's Choice award at the 2016 Hawke's Bay Sportsperson of the Year awards function, Long ranked former Highlanders prop Brendon Edmonds as the toughest opponent he has marked in Hawke's Bay club rugby.
"Doogie [Edmonds nickname] would pump you at one scrum and then give you a few tips at the next. Then you've got the likes of Jarvy [Aoake] and Cracker [Mark Braidwood] but against anyone in the Hawke's Bay mix you know you've got a tough day at the office," contracted Magpie Long said.
All nine of his appearances for the Magpies last year were as a substitute. His aim this season is to earn more starts.
"I've got to use the pre-season games coming up in the next few weeks against Manawatu and Waikato to prove I can start at the next level. Hopefully before then I've got a semifinal and final with Hastings too."
A Hastings Boys' High School product, Long, agreed he had what many would consider an enviable lifestyle with his participation in two of the Bay's glamour sporting teams.
"I'm at an age where I've got an opportunity to enjoy doing both and I try and make the most of it. In rugby I meet a lot of good people and enjoy playing with my mates and it's the same in speedway. I'm excited to be able to race with some good mates."
Long's team should win by at least nine points today.
Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist captain and flanker Chris Johnston will play his 50th match for the unbeaten defending champions when they host Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Park Island. With the Pirate outfit needing a couple of competition points at least to secure a semifinal berth this has the potential to be a close tussle but the Green Machine should still win by 10.
Another close encounter is expected when Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical host Progressive Meats Havelock North at Whitmore Park. With a home semifinal at stake, the Texans should win by six.
K9 Petfoods Clive should beat Carters Frame and Truss Taradale by 11 and if they do Hastings could miss out on the semifinals and Northfuels Central are capable of an eight-point win against Tamatea at Bill Mathewson Park.