Lol, … “Wonka” a good nick, & soo apt. … or Willie.
Back to my favourite topic. Another good development game for him.
Won his fair share of the ball and seems to have the tank to play midfield.
I read he grew 25 cm in 7 minutes.Doctors hate him.
Women love him.
Women Doctors are hot and cold on him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0YYlO6Cao4
>Averaged 14 possessions in his five appearances in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
:O
Hes a taller fella bro
>Averaged 14 possessions in his five appearances in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
:o
Excelled late in the season as a prolific ball-winning midfielder for the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup, averaging eight marks and demonstrating his aerial skills.
Welcome aboard ...........
Whoever you are.
Enjoy the ride!
Any relation to the Langford's from the Hawks?
lol @ carlton.
Blaine Boekhorst
Any relation to the Langford's from the Hawks?
I would like to know also.
ivanhoe lad das it
Onya Kyle, big big welcome to the greatest club in the world.
Hi Kyle.
Just in case you miss Ants great work ...
Kyle Langford
Height: 190 cm, Weight: 73 kg, DOB: 01/12/1996
Club: Northern Knights
Position: Utility, 3rd tall forward, 3rd tall defender/back flanker
U18 Statistics
2013: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196103125&client=1-3020-111703-253881-18717745
2014: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196103125&client=1-3020-111703-294694-20320272&ocompID=294694
Draft Combine
3rd – Kicking test
9th – Agility test
Highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-14/draft-prospect-kyle-langford-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0YYlO6Cao4
Chris25#14Now #11
Position: Forward, Defender, Midfielder
There are so many of these tall, but skinny utility types coming through the U18 competitions in the last few years that they really aren't all that unique anymore. It seems as though every year, we're talking about what position they are best suited to and whether their games can translate to the top level. Well, Kyle Langford is another who will no doubt interest clubs with his versatility and potential.
Langford's 2014 season so far has been nothing short of excellent, he has really stepped up his game from last year - both in terms of pure impact on a game, as well as consistency. In 2013, he showed enough signs to suggest he could be a player of the future but he never really put it together for long enough. Playing as more of a third tall at either end, he was in and out of games as a 17 year old. But his first month in the TAC Cup in 2014 (before the U18 Championships) was the best football he has played by far. He kicked 11 goals from his first three games, including two hauls of five in back to back games. And that was as more of a half forward, pushing up onto a wing and through the midfield. Langford averaged around 18 disposals, 8 marks (2 of which were contested) and 5 tackles a game. It was a really good display, and showed exactly what clubs would have been expecting from a player of his ability. But for Vic Metro, Langford saw his role in the team change up a little bit. Instead of being that third tall forward pushing up to the wings, he became that third tall defender pushing up to the wings. And it's a role in which I thought he showed a lot of promise. Averaging around 14 disposals and 4 marks a game, Langford provided some nice run off of half back while also being given roles on some of the more dangerous opposition forwards. His best game came in Round 1, when he was matched up against Tom Lamb from Vic Country. Langford arguably had the best of him, before being moved further up the ground in the last quarter.
Just to change things up, I'll start with Langford's weaknesses. Immediately from the start of this profile, his numbers jump out - 190cm, but just 73kg. He has a light frame, so may need some time to fully develop in the weight room. Sometimes with these skinnier types, it's always hit and miss as to how they develop. Will they thrive like Nat Fyfe, or will they struggle like Josh Bootsma? But that's the risk you take when you draft them, all you can do is sit and wait. Otherwise, he hasn't shown much of a contested game at all. At the U18 Championships, about 85% of his diposals were uncontested and even in the TAC Cup when he is in the middle he plays almost exclusively on a wing. This is likely to be linked in with his light frame, but it's something to consider when looking at Langford as an AFL prospect.
But the positive, is that he has a lot more strengths than he does weaknesses. I'll add at the top, that while he doesn't win much contested ball, he does tackle quite well. So it's not as though he is just a soft player all round. But probably his biggest strength, is his marking. It's always a positive when these skinny players have sticky hands. In one on contests, he isn't the greatest obviously. But if he can avoid getting into a wrestle and run at the ball, he'll mark more than he drops. And just showing off his ability in the air, as a defender he showed a knack for getting his long arms in for a spoil at the right moment. And it's just the versatiltiy and athleticism as a whole that makes him such an attractive draft prospect.
So where does Langford fit in with similar utility types from previous years? Is he more Marco Paparone or Jonathon Marsh? Personally, I tend to think he will go earlier in the draft with a range of around 20-30. He has shown more in regards to being able to play defined roles than some others, and his combination of both versatility and natural talent should interest a few teams - he may divide clubs, but I can see a few having him quite high up on their lists. And I think Langford has shown more than enough already to suggest he is worth a shot, and I would expect a similar sort of role and stats to that of Andrejs Everitt at Carlton.
KnightmarePick 12, #12 talentPick 15, #18 talent
Draft range: 5-45
Best position/role: Half forward flank.Strengths:
Movement – Langford for a tall is an excellent mover. He covers the ground exceptionally well and quickly. He has rare agility for tall and has excellent acceleration with ball in hand and is willing to use his pace in game whenever the opportunity is there to break the lines.
Marking ability – Langford has strong, sticky hands overhead, marking just about anything and everything in his vicinity. Particularly when played in the front half Langford is a significant marking threat who will read the flight as soon as it leaves the boot, get in the area for the mark and take it. He reads the flight as well as just about anyone and reads and protects the drop zone and in the contest he consistently gets into best position to take the grab. As a marking threat Langford is most dominant on the lead and in the air but he is also a capable pack mark and as he gets stronger he will only become a greater threat. In the TAC Cup Langford has managed a 10, 11 and 12 mark game which from a sample size of seven games is terrific and elite by position. When played in the back half Langford is also a very effective intercept mark and a real intercept marking threat.
Scoreboard impact – Langford when played in the front half is capable of providing heavy scoreboard impact. In the TAC Cup he had two five goal games which for someone who is not a forward 50 only player is very encouraging.
Versatility – Langford has the ability to play forward, back or on a wing. In the forward and back halves he offers significant versatility as someone who can play tall or small, higher up the field or deeper as required.
Skillset – Langford can use both sides by foot. He is a generally efficiency user of the ball, hitting his targets by hand and foot and he is also a capable finisher both in general play and from set shot attempts. Occasionally he will shank a kick when rushed but otherwise most of his work by foot is good.
Linkup ability – I have also been encouraged by Langford‘s ability to linkup. In his running chains forward Langford is someone who can be used as an outside runner and linkup well and run in support of team mates on offensive plays as a genuine run and carry guy. He is also effective as a link player by foot as someone who will take the mark and run on if the opportunity is there, handball off to an outside runner or find the next target in the chain by foot.
Upside – Langford gives off the sense that he has significant scope to develop. He has a late year birthday, a very thin body that will surely get stronger as well as some unusual traits by position at his height that suggest he has the scope to develop into something special with rare marking ability, movement, versatility and scoreboard impact.
Clean at ground level – Langford is very good at ground level. He is clean with his pickups, rarely fumbles and can at times pick up the ball on the move.
Tackling ability - His tackling ability is excellent and he tackles with a real energy and will give those second and third efforts.
Weaknesses
Light body – Langford at this stage has a very light body at only 73kg and he will need to put further size onto his frame and become stronger to compete at the next level against the more seasoned bodies.
Contested ball winning ability – Langford at this stage is very much an uncontested footballer. At this stage he is not someone who will often go in hard to win the contested footy and is more someone who will skirt around the edges of a contest and out the back of a contest in the hope of receiving a handball and getting involved in the play from there.
What I expect will improve: Langford I expect will improve rapidly in an AFL system and get stronger but also further enhance his strengths and take many of them to a dominant level.
Who he can become? Langford‘s play feels like it will get to somewhere between Bontempelli and Gold Coast rookie Louis Herbert. Langford has the same type of game as Herbert as a versatile tall with a thin build and strong marking ability but looks a much more dominant and consistently damaging version, and like Bontempelli he is that same rare moving tall who can do damage but without the same strength and contested side to his game.
When will he be ready to play? Langford may get a taste for senior AFL footy in season one but given his slight build he is more likely to start to receive regular senior AFL games in season two and look in season three to establish himself as a regular part of a best team.
How to best utilise him? Langford is best utilised as a forward flank.
Interpretation of his numbers: Langford‘s numbers overall are encouraging. His mark per game numbers are elite by position. His tackles per game numbers are excellent. When played in the front half his scoreboard impact is strong with his two five goal performances evidence of this. His disposal efficiency is sound. The primary area of weakness is contested ball winning numbers which at this point are low as primarily an uncontested player.
Paige Cardonas
Position: Utility
Projected draft range: 25 – 40
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
A really nifty player who gives you a bit of everything, Kyle Langford is a versatile third tall type who can be utilised at either end of the ground, having shot up the draft rankings dramatically over the past six weeks. Langford started the season in hot form, bagging 11 goals in his first three games for Northern, having been utilised as a key tall who pushed high and hard up the wings. He averaged 18 disposals, eight marks and five tackles during that period, resulting in Vic Metro selection. Although best known for completely shutting down Tom Lamb in round one of the carnival, Langford was used in defence as a third tall, while once again provided an option between the arcs. In that time, his clean hands, agility, athleticism and will to create drive from defence were on full display. His tackling makes up for his lack of ability to win the contested ball, whilst he puts himself in dangerous positions to mark, whether that‘s cutting off a forward entry or pushing hard up the ground to mark on a wing. He is quite prolific in the air, and has shown enough to suggest that he could develop nicely into a rangy winger that can drop back or forward when required.
Skippos
Range: 12-25
Comparison: Louis Herbert
I struggled to find a comparison for Langford as to a degree he's very much an unknown with his size. He's thin, really thin. These types go any number of ways with their roles depending on how they develop and how that effects them. I've heard Bontempelli mentioned a few times and I don't really see it. Louis Herbert is probably an appropriate one given the style of play but Langford is quite simply better and perhaps could reach a similar level to Andrejs Everitt. Played in defence throughout the championships, Langford held his own with a reasonable accountable brand of football and provided some offensive penetration. Forward he's looked good in the TAC cup, and many believe his best position is as a creative third tall forward. He possesses reasonable speed and acceleration and has a great vertical leap. His intercept marking shows potential. He likes to run and attack the play when possible. His tackling is excellent when factoring in his size.
Despite all the positives, he hasn't really dominated yet. His december birth and twig like stature may contribute to this, but he still hasn't truly imposed himself. His kicking can be effective but he still shanks the ball and turns it over a bit too often. It's also worth noting that he has a really, really long neck. This might not be considered important by many but when considering his height, it is. From ground to shoulder, Langford probably is only the same height as a 183-185cm player. His vertical reach will likely be reflected in this and therefore level he can take his marking to in the AFL. Height is an easy way to briefly consider someone's physical capabilities and upside in that regard. In Langford's case, it's a bit misleading. He'll always have the 'relevant' height of a small, and even when he fills out his body - he's likely not going to be a 'big bodied' midfielder type as quite simply, his shoulders are at the same level as many six foot players. Langford has been bolting of late and is likely to go top 20 - a range I feel is too high based on exposed form and perceived upside. It seems some are looking at his 190 cm height and assuming he can be the next great tall midfielder, when in reality his height is very misleading.
Bulldogs
#28, Utility
At 190cm Langford has a number of attributes clubs are desperate for, he basically can play anywhere, from a lockdown position on opposition 3rd key forward, as a running wingman or as a 3rd marking option in the forward line. He is a lovely strong overhead mark, very good agility and speed. He is hard at it, a good tackler and could be a top 15 pick. The only knock I have on him is his decision making and kicking is very average. He will improve in both these areas as he settles into an AFL environment.
Bound for Glory
Written 11 June
Position: Key forward / Utility
Strengths: Marking, goal kicking, tackling, finding the ball
Areas needing improvement: skinny frame
Player Comparison: Matthew Richardson
It‘s strange to say that a guy who isn‘t even being talked about as a first round option having only one weakness. After watching Langford several times, it‘s the only flaw he has. He just scrapes into key forward height being 190 cm, but his 73 kg frame is what will put recruiters off.
However, it is so important to look past that, as he is a game changer. Whilst plenty have talked about the key talls going early, Langford may present even more value as a second round pick. He marks everything in sight. It doesn‘t matter whether his opponent is ten centimeters taller and 15 kilograms heavier, Langford positions his body to protect the drop zone. His hands are like they have been slathered in honey. His marking in the air and on the lead is exceptional. He doesn‘t need silver service delivery to make an impact, as his marking makes the midfielders look good.
Earlier in the year against the Eastern Ranges, it was all about the Langford and Reece McKenzie tandem. Mckenzie was dominant, marking everything in sight, but he ended up with one goal and four behinds. Whilst all the focus was on McKenzie, Langford had basically no delivery going to him. He ended up with five goals and two behinds from just three marks and eight possessions. He made an impact when the football gods were trying to tell him to have a quiet game.
Langford has played as a key back to great success, as his lanky arms are excellent in spoiling or outmarking his opponent. His closing speed is fantastic. I believe his running ability is severely under rated, as his work on the lead includes an explosive burst, but it doesn‘t seem to wear off over the game.
He‘s also plied his trade as a tall wingman to great effect. Against the Pioneers, he gathered 20 disposals, 11 marks (three contested) and eight tackles. He was truly sensational, and he dominated in that Matthew Richardson of 2008 role. The wingman involved in everything.
In his four games so far, Langford has been in the bests every single game. In his two games up forward, he‘s kicked five goals in each match, with only three behinds.
His average stats read like this:
2.75 goals per game (one game as a key back, one as a wing, two as a forward).
16.5 disposals per game, with three games over 18 disposals.
8 marks per game (one game with 11, one with 12)
4.75 tackles per game (one game with 8, one with six)
2 contested marks per game
Langford is a match winner in every position on the ground. He finds his own ball, disposes of it well and is one of the best shots as goal that has come through the TAC Cup ranks.He will no doubt be able to put on size once he enters the AFL system, so no club should be deterred from him. His draft range could be anything, but he‘d be a steal past pick 30.
Based on talent, consistency and ability to impact the game, Langford is not only a safe option come draft day, he has one of the biggest ceilings in terms of potential. Don‘t be surprised if he does go earlier than expected and shoots up the order by the time November rolls around.
You have a very fine surname young man.
Welcome to EFC…now do a Heppell!!
#15 - GOLD COAST SUNS: Kyle Langford
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
190cm – 73kg – Utility (Mid/HBF/HFF)
Personally, Langford is one of the more exciting prospects of this year‘s draft, and he looks to have a lot of talent that will see him be able to play in a number of positions. At 190cm, he‘s a fantastic height but still has a lot of weight to put on, at just 73kg. He‘s a very good kick of the football and can provide run from the half back line or be a genuine marking target as a 3rd tall up forward. I‘ve seen a bit of Langford and I‘m confident he‘ll develop into a very handy midfielder, and the way he plays reminds me of Bontempelli, who will look to be a very skilful tall midfielder with the ability to go forward. I can see the Suns going for Langford who offers something different to their side.
Welcome on board project type......give him a couple of years.
yes we love you too kyle
Welcome on board project type......give him a couple of years.
Project type you say?