GROWING up in rugby-league territory has given Hawthorn youngster Will Langford a competitive streak he hopes will one day add to the Club’s midfield depth.

Langford grew up in New South Wales - a far cry from Glenferrie Oval where his father and Club great Chris tormented opposition players on his way to becoming one of the best defenders the game has seen.

He played rugby at school like most kids who grow up in Sydney, but eventually followed his dad’s footsteps and found his way onto Hawthorn’s list as a New South Wales Scholarship holder in 2011.

He joined the Club’s rookie list as a fierce competitor who loves the rough and tumble of AFL footy.

His ferocity and hunger to tackle and pressure his opposition stems from his background and now become a hallmark of his game.

Langford is the player who never hesitates to put his body on the line.

“Growing up in Sydney, I played a lot of rugby at school so a lot of the combative elements transfer into my game,” Langford told hawthornfc.com.au

“I thrive on the contest and one-on-one situations. I think that’s probably my A-game, being competitive and able to hit in but I like to think I can get on the outside and run as well.”

But that doesn’t mean he can’t provide outside run and win the ball in his own right.

With gun North Melbourne midfielder Jack Ziebell as his direct opponent in Friday night’s NAB Challenge game, Langford pressed his claims for senior selection in Round 1 with a breakout performance.

He gathered 19 disposals, kicked three goals and laid six tackles – the equal third most of any player on the ground in Hawthorn’s 56-point win.

“It was good to be up against him, obviously playing a lot of VFL footy it was good for me to step up and play against quality AFL players,” he said.

Langford’s performance was another sign the pressure for spots will be hot again at Hawthorn in 2014.

Already, senior players such as Captain Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Shaun Burgoyne have identified Langford and fellow youngster Mitch Hallahan as two players they expect to force their way into the senior side this season.

“We’re sort of working as a group, the younger guys to put pressure on the older guys and I think the older, more experienced players are aware of that,” he said.

But Langford knows breaking into the premiership team won’t be easy.

“Having that pressure pushes them to get better as well, so as a group we’re all moving forward,” he said.

“You look at ‘Mitch’, who’s one of the older guys but he just keeps getting better so it’s good for us to be pushing each other and challenging the older guys but good for them as well because they keep stepping up.”

Premiership wingman Isaac Smith believes the Langford name could again become a staple in the Hawthorn team, starting in 2014.

“He’s probably got a spot available for him if he puts his head down and works hard – it seems like already he’s done that over the pre-season,” Smith told hawthornfc.com.au “His improvement has been astronomical, really.

“He has a lot of interests outside of footy but he’s really knuckled down and proved himself to be one of the better VFL players throughout last year.

“He is probably one of the hardest workers in the gym and out on the track as well, I reckon we might see a bit of him this year.”

Langford was permanently upgraded to the senior list at the end of last season after being a long-term injury replacement for Matt Suckling in the middle of 2013.

He made his senior debut in Round 16 before returning to the VFL where he played a vital role in Box Hill’s premiership victory.

He played in Hawthorn’s two NAB Challenge wins over Brisbane and North Melbourne, an experience he says has fast-tracked his development and potentially, his ability to slip seamlessly into the seniors in 2014.

“Day-to-day they (the senior players) give you a lot of advice and out on the training track but there’s nothing like actually playing with them in the heat of the battle,” he said.

“You can develop the synergy that is required between players to make a good team, so that’s a big part of the experience of playing in the NAB Challenge, being able to build that.

“Hopefully down the track, if I get a few games at AFL level, that connection is already there.”

But whether he gets the chance to show his wares at AFL level this season or not, Langford is dedicated to helping Hawthorn achieve its twelfth premiership in any way he can.

“My goal is just to play footy but whether that’s at AFL or VFL level, I just like being out there every weekend,” he said.

“It would be nice to play a few more games at AFL level but at the end of the day, like everyone here, whether you’re playing VFL or AFL, you just want to see another flag, another cup go into the cabinet.”