KYLE Langford played 13 games for the Northern Knights lastyear, kicked nine goals and showed some exciting signs. But it was onlyuntil a couple of breakout games at the start of this season that hisperformances started to get traction.
Langford,a 190cm half-forward, kicked five goals against the Calder Cannons inround two of the TAC Cup and then backed it up with another five-goalhaul against the Eastern Ranges the following round.
"I thought 'Who is this bloke?'" one recruiter said. "I had to mark his name down. He was very, very exciting."
Despitegood signs in attack to start the year, Langford played for Vic Metroat the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships as a half-back, where he stillshowed his agility and strength, despite not being in his customaryposition.
Asthe clubs say, Langford has a lot of AFL traits and parts to his gamethat will translate to the next level. He can jump and take a mark – heaveraged eight a game in the TAC Cup this year – and he can kick agoal.
But for a player his shape, Langfordmoves quickly on the ground. His 8.36-second agility test at the combinesaw him inside the top-10 for all competitors, and you see it in games.He twists and turns in tight spaces and gets out of trouble.
Langford'sstandout quality is his ball-handling. In the air he has confidence toleap into, over or in front of packs and take a mark. But he's verysharp below his knees and often holds the ball in one hand while workingout his next move – a sign of his composure.
Langford'sfield kicking can be at times a little inconsistent, but there'snothing there that can't be tweaked. It improved through the year and bythe combine he placed second in the kicking test, scoring 28 out of 30points. He has a lot going for him.
Hecomes from the Northern Knights and can jump, do it at ground level,kick goals and be used all over the ground. So there's going to becomparisons between Langford and young Western Bulldogs star MarcusBontempelli.
Bontempelliwill probably end up more of a midfielder than Langford, who has shownhis best form across half-forward, but there are similarities at timeswith their raw talent
Couldbe this year's bolter. Has been discussed early but looks like he willfind a home somewhere inside the first round. He doesn't turn 18 untilDecember 1, so will be 17 on draft night – another reason for optimismwhen assessing his room for growth.
Langfordis very high on some club's draft boards, and it doesn't take long tosee why: he can do lots of things that few others can. He has a bigmotor, is very strong overhead and loves to lead at the ball offhalf-forward and kicks goals.
