JOINT Larke Medal winner Harvey Langford became the latest AFL Draft prospect to audition at state league level after making his Victorian Football League (VFL) debut for Richmond. The Tigers fan acquitted himself well in the senior grade as his new side locked in a Wildcard Round berth.

Langford, who has been a dominant force as co-captain of Dandenong Stingrays this year, took over the no. 78 jumper left by fellow top 10 prospect Finn O’Sullivan, who debuted last week. With a full-time half through midfield, Langford had moments of genuine quality in the nine-point win over Carlton.

We put the midfielder-forward’s Round 21 performance under the Player Focus microscope.

Dandenong Stingrays, Vic CountryMidfielder-Forward

Harvey Langford

Height: 190cm

Weight: -

DOB: 15-03-2006

2024 VFL Round 21
Carlton 12.13 (85) def. by Richmond 14.10 (94)

#75 Harvey Langford (Richmond VFL)
Stats: 12 disposals (7 kicks, 5 handballs), 2 marks, 3 tackles, 7 inside 50s

FIRST QUARTER:

Understandably, the first quarter proved somewhat of a feeling out process for Langford, though he was thrown straight into the midfield mix off the bench. The 18-year-old showed good anticipation to get a hand in on consecutive Carlton handballs for his first contribution, before being dragged down near the boundary at half-forward.

Langford’s main area of improvement is his speed and he took some time to adjust in that sense, with his reactions proving sharp but his movement lacking the same conviction at times. He was a little less imposing than usual at the coalface, but laid a couple of terrific tackles in the centre corridor to show he was willing to compete.

Having attended six of nine centre bounces in the opening term, Langford’s first clean possession came on the outside as he took a running bounce along the wing and kicked long inside 50 – only to have the entry intercepted by Vic Country teammate Tobie Travaglia, who was playing his second VFL game for the opposition.

Still, after a relatively steady start the youngster began to find his feet and rhythm – especially not being the biggest midfielder out there. He even clunked what would have been a super pack mark at half-back, only for the umpire’s whistle to intervene for an infringement he didn’t make in the contest.

SECOND QUARTER:

Langford really started to get going in the second quarter, which ended up being his most prolific period. Having struggled to keep his feet and collect the ball under physical duress in the early stages, he found some confidence with a terrific ground ball get in the centre before spinning out of congestion and accelerating forward.

For such a strongly-built player, Langford’s lateral movement was terrific and his spatial awareness bought him extra time in possession. He utilised his big frame to brush off tacklers, while also proving nimble enough to step past them and get out of trouble. His kicking was also dangerous, as highlighted by a flat inside 50 ball to the hot spot.

THIRD QUARTER:

Having attended 12 of 17 centre bounces in the first half, it was Langford’s turn to show his wares up forward. He is usually renowned for being able to impact aerially and on the scoreboard from deep positions inside 50, but seemed to be encouraged to find the ball further afield without anti-density restrictions.

He got into good positions at the drop of the ball and very nearly crumbed for a goal off hands right in front of the big sticks. Langford again took some time to find his touch at the contest, and it was difficult to impact in a marking sense with so many of Richmond’s forward entries finding tall target, Archie May.

His best moment of the third quarter oozed class, as Langford held his own in a one-on-two battle by tapping the bouncing ball over one opponent, and absorbing contact from the other before drilling a kick across forward 50 to Marlion Pickett. The impressive act yielded a huge response from his teammates.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Much like in term three, Langford was again absent from the centre bounces but did his best to find good positions up forward. He took a strong grab at half-forward and used his only kick of the quarter to set up deep inside 50 to the hot spot.

Langford also made another nice intercept off Carlton hands to feed Maurice Rioli through the corridor, showcasing his craft in tight spaces and elite reading of the game. Again, a front-and-centre crumb almost came his way inside 50, but he fumbled the hot footy.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Langford faced the tough task of being thrown into the cut of thrust of a state league midfield battle in his maiden appearance, and after some difficult early moments, began to showcase his talent. Not being the most physically developed player at each contest was an adjustment, though he made it and was also able to impact on the outside.

Langford’s balance of a hard edge and playmaking kicking made for good watching as he launched attacks inside 50. His depth of kicking allowed for meaningful entries and he picked out good options going inboard with flat, penetrative passes. While he lacks the out-and-out speed of other midfielders in the crop, his footy IQ is top notch.

Being a Richmond supporter, the whole experience would have been a whirlwind for Langford. No less, his entire top-age year has been remarkable. It was little surprise to see his name thrown up to be the latest player to be blooded in Richmond’s system, and he has many of the patented Tiger traits. Whether that puts him in line to be a pick one candidate remains to be seen. His credentials stack up.