Welcome to Demonland: Harvey Langford

[DeeSpencer 25,697]

Not his best game, looks like he was physically targeted early and had trouble dealing with the breeze, but did show just how strong a ball winner he is when he crashes in to contest and there was some nice handballs and kicks at times.

By the way, plenty of glimpses of big Ah Mu in 65. He's a massive kid for 17.

 

[Axis of Bob 11,808]

The thing that should translate across to AFL well is his clearance work. He’s very similar to Gus Brayshaw in the way he moves through a stoppage.

Edited September 2 by Axis of Bob

[binman 42,941]

On 25/08/2024 at 20:36, DeeSpencer said:

He might not have Pendles’ class or Bont’s boot but he’s in the same height and strength and has plenty of penetration on his left foot. A better overhead mark than Pendles and maybe even better overhead for his age than Bont.

Is he a great athlete - probably not. Is he the most precise with his skills no. But he racks the ball up, dominates at stoppages and creates a lot of scores.

To me he’s the pick 1 aside from Ashcroft.

I really liked his vfl game. Because he did find it a bit hot early. But he started to find more space and make some really good inside 50 kicks as well as show his ability to break from packs and cut through traffic.

 

At first I thought that was a lowlights package

 But then I realised it must be all Langdord's involvements in that particular vfl game.

It's actually good to see a more balanced video package.

Also good that its at vfl level sometimes the guns dominate at junior level.

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Beautiful left foot kick.

Yes please!

[JJJ 1,284]

Essendon have him very high on their board at the moment. Plenty of water to pass under the bridge before the draft though.

[binman 42,941]

On 27/08/2024 at 21:40, Adam The God said:

 

There's a lot of Bont in this particular game. Strong contested marks, floating deep to kick goals and then getting in done and bursting from clearance and hitting targets by hand and foot.

And he's got the habit, like the bont and many left footers (i think because opponents instinctivly cover the right side), of wheeling onto his left foot and kicking off no steps.

I love that - gets the ball moving quickly and the ball is kicked under less pressure.

Edited September 2 by binman

[demoncat 1,434]

I wonder if North would consider trading pick 2 for 5 and change if they’re targeting Trainor?

I know the top five or six prospects are similarly rated but I’d love to be able to zero in on JT’s highest ranked player if possible (presuming Richmond don’t take him with 1)

[DeeSpencer 25,697]

 

Not his best game, didn't have his using power in his kicking. Obviously Melbourne's non stop wind didn't help things but might be starting to run the tank on low after a huge season. But he still attacks every contest with a heap of vigour and wins the ball in so many different ways.

Plenty of clips of Ah-Mu in this too. Love his soft hands on his hit outs and there's some mobility.

Part of me says if he has a huge preseason he could be a top 5 pick which would be fantastic. But I'd also be happy if he coasts on through to us as a rookie then has a big summer after the draft! Stupid academy system!

[Ted Lasso 19,516]

A clearance machine who is effectively going to be an Angus Brayshaw replacement who's also a beautiful long left foot kick. love his work. 

[Mach5 4,767]

On 26/08/2024 at 09:49, layzie said:

Cal had him at no.3 in his last phantom draft. Reasonable left footer which is a point of difference, a solid metres gained guy. Worth trading up for? No idea. 

I feel like North will want to trade back so they can take Trainor & not be ridiculed for taking him too early.

[Ted Lasso 19,516]

13 minutes ago, Mach5 said:

I feel like North will want to trade back so they can take Trainor & not be ridiculed for taking him too early.

I could definitely see North trading their future first round to a team for a selection this year to get Trainor and keep pick 2 for perhaps Langford or O'Sullivan 

[spirit of norm smith 16,452]

From the code 

Potential No. 1 selection Harvey Langford says it would be a “dream” to join Richmond as the countdown to November’s AFL national draft ramps up.

Langford was at the MCG for the first day of the national draft combine on Friday, meeting clubs and completing physical testing. 

The Dandenong Stingrays product grew up a Tigers fan, idolising recently-retired superstar Dustin Martin. 

A 190cm big-bodied midfielder, Langford also made a VFL debut for Richmond in August.

“Anywhere I go will be a dream,” Langford said.

“But obviously going for Richmond, (that) would be amazing.”

Langford said he would not be phased about carrying the No. 1 draftee tag if that was to eventuate. Richmond holds that prized selection.

“To think that there is a possibility for No. 1 (is) pretty amazing. I guess we’ll just see how it all pans out,” he said.

“Obviously there will be heaps of pressure coming into next year, but I think I’ll be able to handle it pretty well. I’ve got heaps of support around me, so that will help out heaps.”

Langford was a joint winner of the Larke Medal as the best player of the under-18 national championships while playing for Vic County earlier this year.

The 18-year-old averaged 25.5 disposals and 6.3 clearances per match during the tournament and models his game on Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli.

“He’s obviously a bit bigger midfielder,” Langford said.

“(I like) how he’s able to go down forward and impact on the scoreboard and in the air. It’s something that I try to do.”

HARVEY LANGFORD 

Dandenong Stingrays 

Langford’s dominance had been flying under the radar before the national championships, and it continued on the national stage for Vic Country. The strong 190cm midfielder was joint winner of the Larke Medal after an outstanding campaign, averaging 26 disposals, eight score involvements, six clearances, six marks and 130 SuperCoach points. Langford’s contested ball-winning, penetrating left boot, overhead marking and forward half impact stood out throughout a well-rounded championships where he broke games open on a consistent basis. Langford doesn’t need a lot of the ball to have a big say on a game, helping turn the tide for Vic Country in their final game against Vic Metro with a big pack mark and goal. The Mount Martha product’s form in the Coates Talent League was emphatic for much of the campaign. He finished with averages of 152 ranking points, 26 disposals, five marks and five tackles. He also kicked 20 goals

[dazzledavey36 54,923]

Huge huge fan of Langford.

Don't worry about his deficiencies, the kid is a very natural footballer who is destined to become a top shelf AFL footballer.

[KozzyCan 764]

Langford is probably my second favourite after Draper.

[demoncat 1,434]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Huge huge fan of Langford.

Don't worry about his deficiencies, the kid is a very natural footballer who is destined to become a top shelf AFL footballer.

He’s still my number 1 pick of this draft (outside of Ashcroft) - would be stoked if he slides to us 

Edited October 5 by demoncat

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,129]

Does anyone have a handle on whether Richmond, North, Coast or Adelaide (or their D'Land equivalents!) are showing interest in Langford?

[demoncat 1,434]

10 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Does anyone have a handle on whether Richmond, North, Coast or Adelaide (or their D'Land equivalents!) are showing interest in Langford?

Latest reporting on Richmond is that they’re considering Lalor or O’Sullivan at 1 (but it’s still very open)

I haven’t heard word on who North would take but they’re open to splitting 2, with West Coast also open to splitting 3

I believe there was some word West Coast liked Draper but I could be imagining that - there’s no way he gets past Adelaide though given he’s from SA

Edited October 5 by demoncat

[old55 23,571]

Bottom 5, actually equal last, in the 20m sprint at the Draft Combine is not an attractive result.

Edit: I misread the results and Langford was equal 4th slowest, not equal slowest as I originally posted above.

Edited October 7 by old55
Correction of original post.

[ChaserJ 5,096]

On 05/10/2024 at 21:18, demoncat said:

Latest reporting on Richmond is that they’re considering Lalor or O’Sullivan at 1 (but it’s still very open)

I haven’t heard word on who North would take but they’re open to splitting 2, with West Coast also open to splitting 3

I believe there was some word West Coast liked Draper but I could be imagining that - there’s no way he gets past Adelaide though given he’s from SA

West Coast apparently fans of Langford as well.

[dazzledavey36 54,923]

22 minutes ago, old55 said:

Bottom 5, actually equal last, in the 20m sprint at the Draft Combine is not an attractive result.

Cripps and Bont were also on the bottom half for their 20m sprints in their draft years.

Made zero difference to their respective careers.

[demoncat 1,434]

23 minutes ago, old55 said:

Bottom 5, actually equal last, in the 20m sprint at the Draft Combine is not an attractive result.

I wonder where Bont, Cripps and Green places in their draft years? The closest comparison to Langford, particular Bont 

[demoncat 1,434]

3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Cripps and Bont were also on the bottom half for their 20m sprints in their draft years.

Made zero difference to their respective careers.

Thanks @dazzledavey36 I spoke too soon 

[old55 23,571]

Bottom half is a bit different from dead last.

[dazzledavey36 54,923]

11 minutes ago, old55 said:

Bottom half is a bit different from dead last.

Their times were pretty much similar...

[Axis of Bob 11,808]

Just now, dazzledavey36 said:

Their times were pretty much similar...

This is going to be like when every plodder junior got some support on fan forums because “Greg Williams was slow”.

Turns out that none of those players was Greg Williams. We’ll see if Langford can buck the trend and be Marcus Bontempelli. He’ll need other traits that allow him to dominate in spite of being a plodder.