IT’S been a lengthy wait for Will Langford, but his return to senior football against Brisbane Lions on Saturday was a success.
The 23-year-old finished the match with 14 disposals – eight of those contested – and a team-high seven tackles in the Hawks’ 72-point win.
It was Langford’s first AFL match since Round 14.
He was selected after a fortnight with VFL affiliate Box Hill Hawks, after recovering from a knee injury.
Langford said he felt “really good” throughout the contest and was happy to get through his return game successfully.
“It was good - it’s nice to be in one piece and be back out there with the boys,” Langford said after the match.
“We got the win… and hopefully we can keep building.”
After a slow start – the Hawks trailed by 17 points at quarter time – the Hawks replied with a ten-goal second term and finished the game strongly.
Langford was one of the leaders in the first term, collecting eight disposals, and said the Hawks’ response had been pleasing.
“I think maybe we got beaten early in the contested footy. I’m not sure what the stats say, but that was my feeling,” he said.
“That shows the quality of the side – that we don’t panic and just keep chipping away.
“We kept building and got there in the end over the next three quarters.”
