I say this with the smugness that I thought at the start of last year we should focus on the kids: it’s jus good that we can expect the opportunities we gave to Hocking, Watson, Howlett and Bird will pay big dividends next year.
I thought Langford showed a heap of talent, but didn’t quite have the physical hardness or tank, and made some rookie errors as well. All stuff you’d expect from a 20yo kid. He only got 2 games in midfield. I think the coaches stuffed up by setting him to play forward, before changing tack early in the year.
First, Langford got more or less as many opportunities as Hocking and Bird. Howlett and Watson got more, but they showed far more than Langford.
Secondly, there were some special circumstances applying to Watson, Howlett and Hocking that I’m sure that you’re aware of.
Thirdly, although Langford played some very good games in 2016, there was not a single game in 2016 in which he performed at an acceptable standard. That’s what I found so disappointing.