Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country midfielder Harvey Langford was one of 2024's best improvers over the course of the year, with his draft campaign capped off with the Larke Medal.
Langford shared the honour with Allies hard-nut Leonardo Lombard following his MVP-winning spell for Vic Country, averaging 25.5 disposals, 6.3 marks, 6.3 clearances, 6.3 inside 50s and 7.5 score involvements across his quartet of appearances.
A teenager who models his game off Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, Langford has the traits of a damaging ball-winner who uses his size and aerobic capacity to his advantage - both in the air and across the field.
Langford started the year strong, showing promise as a midfield-forward option in the AFL Academy's two games against Coburg and Footscray, with the Mount Martha junior making the goalkickers list in both while getting a large run through the middle against VFL opposition.
He would have a bright beginning to his Talent League season too, recording three goals from 21 disposals in his side's season opener against the Geelong Falcons. He would keep up a similar trend across the season, recording less than 20 disposals in just one of his 15 games for the Stingrays while booting at least one goal in a dozen matches to kick 20 for the season.
Langford would earn Talent League Team of the Year honours and an U18 All-Australian selection to add to his Larke Medal as the nation's best U18s player for the year.
Before the season was done, Langford pulled on a Richmond jumper and repented the Tigers' VFL side in Round 21 against Carlton, recording 12 disposals, three tackles and two clearances in a win.
His steady rise across the year has Langford in the mix for Pick 1, held by Richmond who he grew up supporting. Langford is a chance to be available to the Tigers at Pick 6 also, while Adelaide (Pick 4), Melbourne (Pick 5) and St Kilda (Picks 7 and 8) will also have interest.
Position:ย Midfielder
Height:ย 191cm
State:ย Victoria
Club:ย Mount Martha
Strengths
Endurance
Overhead
Scoreboard Impact
Ball-Winning
Draft Range
Pick 1-8
Potential Landing Spots
Richmond (Picks 1 and 6)
Adelaide (Pick 4)
Melbourne (Pick 5)
St Kilda (Picks 7 and 8)
AFL Comparison
Marcus Bontempelli
Mattaes Phillipou
Expert comments
"Some of the things he's been doing at training โ the point of difference with his aerial stuff and then getting better with his craft as a midfielder โ has been really good." - Nick Cox
