STRENGTHS:

+ Consistency
+ Contested game
+ Kick penetration
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Size
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Ground balls
- Speed

As far as all-round, pure footballing traits go, Langford has a relatively full set. His base is through the midfield, where he is not only capable of extracting contested ball, but also spreading hard to the outside and accumulating touches around the ground. At his best, he can chain possessions in attacking phases and hurt the opposition with his thumping left-foot kicking.

Langford's balance was reflected in his average 6.3 clearances and inside 50s per game during the National Championships. He is also an asset inside 50, where his size, strength and clean hands facilitate strong contested marks. From there, he hits the scoreboard in a big way. His best Coates Talent League outing yielded 33 disposals and four goals - both season-highs.

For all the standout statistical figures he produced throughout the year, Langford's sheer reliability was arguably most impressive. He posted nine games of over 25 touches in the Coates Talent League, and only dropping below that mark once in Vic Country colours. After taking out the Larke Medal, he seemed to find a new level of confidence and authority.

At 190cm, Langford is often the biggest and strongest on-ball player afield. His pure size makes him a tough matchup at the contest and up forward, as he is incredibly tough to outmuscle one-on-one. It also sees him stand up in tackles and roll them off his back, allowing for that extra bit of time and space at stoppages. Though, doing so at the next level will be more difficult.

Langford not blessed with natural pace to match his upper-body power, which is the only glaring weakness in his game. He was made to adjust at VFL level where the bigger bodies halved his usual size advantage, but proved he could improvise under pressure and work hard enough to find enough time and space. Alternatively, he is an effective second possession winner.

Versatility is such a desirable trait at the top level and Langford has it in terms of which line he can play on, and the roles he can fulfil within them. His leadership is also an intangible which sets him apart. Named co-captain of Dandenong this year, he explained the appointment as being one based on actions and the standards he sets for others.

Langford pinpointed ground balls as a fundamental he was working on during preseason. Some of his end product, particularly on the run, can waver, though at his best he is as damaging as any prospect with the purchase he gets on his kicks. It means that along with his running, he is a player who can connect the lines.