IT hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Will Langford this pre-season, but he’s back on track ahead of the season proper.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a strong pre-Christmas training block, after an injury-interrupted 2015 campaign.
He was hampered by a knee injury sustained in a minor boating accident after the Christmas break, but is now back into full training and will line up for Box Hill Hawks in their practice match against Northern Blues at Ikon Park on Saturday.
“I’ve been interrupted a little bit over the past month or so, but other than that it’s been pretty solid,” Langford told hawthornfc.com.au.
“I’ve been able to train a fair bit which is nice, and I’m feeling really fit.
“I haven’t played a game in pre-season thus far, but I’ve been able to run and my fitness is still strong.
“I’m feeling really good… I was nice and fit earlier in the pre-season, I was running PBs with our time trials and I feel like I’m back at that level – if I ever left it.
The 2014 premiership star has coped with the injury well – and has set himself some clear goals in 2016.
“It’s difficult when you haven’t had a nice, smooth run at it, but that’s part and parcel, that’s the way the cookie crumbles and now it’s onwards and upwards,” Langford said.
“I’ve had some really clear focuses with my strength work and my fitness, and I’ve just been trying to improve in all the little areas and bring some real hunger and drive into the season.
“I’ve been really focusing on my leg strength, getting in the gym and making sure my lower body weights have been really consistent.
“I’ve been combining that with getting lots of k’s in the legs on the running front, and hopefully that will set for up for a good crack at it this season.”
Langford was held to just 13 senior matches last season, after a breakout year in 2014.
Capable of playing across all lines, the contested-ball winner has seen the pre-season as another opportunity to refine his game.
He’s hoping it will pay dividends for himself and the team throughout the year.
“I’m in my sixth pre-season now, so I’m used to the load and everything that pre-season encompasses. I’m pretty comfortable with that and I’m looking forward to the season,” Langford said.
“For me, it’s mostly about personal development and becoming a better footballer.
“The are areas in the game that I’m good at, and I want to get better at those, and there’s areas that I’m not as good as a I could be, and I want to keep working on them.
“It’s all about becoming a more well-rounded footballer.”
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