Born: January 2, 1963
Recruited: Melbourne Grammar
Played: 1983 - 1997
Debut Order: 690
First game: Round 10, 1983
Last game: Round 22, 199
Guernsey: 28 (1983 - 1986), 24 (1987 - 1997)
Games: 303
Goals: 33
Captain: 1994
Premierships: 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991
Night Premierships: 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992
3rd Club Champion: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993
Life Member: 1989
Team of the Century: 2001
Hall of Fame Inductee: 2007
VFL / AFL Records
E J Whitten Medal: 1987, 1993
State Representative 15
All-Australian: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994
VFL/AFL Life Member: 1996
AFL Hall of Fame: 2009
AFL Commissioner: 1999 - 2015
When Sef Dunn recruited Chris Langford, his observation became Club folklore: ‘We have a beauty with young Langers’. Langford who started as a wingman with occasional ruck duties, became one of the game’s most outstanding and composed full-backs, playing an important role in four premierships. In the twilight of his career, gained lasting fame when he reminded the club of the importance of its identity.
Langford thrived with the challenge of playing against the best forwards in the competition. His contests with Stephen Kernahan, Tony Locket and Gary Ablett are etched in the memories of all football lovers. Renowned for his coolness under pressure he was an attacking player, an integral part of the all-conquering sides of the 80’s with his frequent dashes through the pack, bouncing the ball before delivering it to a teammate. He led a defensive unit that was the envy of the competition: Chris Mew, Gary Ayres, Andy Collins and Ray Jencke.
His efforts in 1996 demonstrated his great passion for football and for Hawthorn. His day job required him to live in Sydney. Such was his importance of his leadership and all-round football ability to the team, the club wanted him to continue. Something that would be inconceivable in today’s football and despite only training with the team occasionally, he would fly to Melbourne to play. He enjoyed one of his best seasons with many outstanding games in defense.
Following the Hawk’s thrilling one-point win over Melbourne at the MCG in round 22, 1996, Langford struck a chord and became immortalized with the Hawk supporters when he raised his Guernsey high in defiance of the proposed merge with Melbourne, thus more than fulfilling Sef Dunn’s original remarks. Life after football saw him appointed to the AFL Commission in 1999.
Chris Langford