HAWTHORN has locked away promising youngster Will Langford, with the 21 year old signing a contract extension on the eve of Round 1.

Upgraded to the primary list at the end of last season, Langford has been among the pre-season improvers at Hawthorn and says it’s a confidence boost ahead of his third season in the system.

“Growing up, all I ever wanted to do was play for Hawthorn, so to have that security and the faith in me that’s been shown by the Club in extending my contract is really exciting,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“I’m very pleased to be part of the group going forward – I think we have some great depth in the Club at the moment so it’s exciting times for everyone.”

Son of Club great Chris, you’d be hard pressed to find a young man who speaks more fondly of Hawthorn Football Club, than Will.

He grew up a passionate Hawk and that love has never wavered.

“Growing up, I always said that if I wasn’t playing for Hawthorn I didn’t want to be playing AFL football,” he said.

“I grew up in a Hawthorn family and that’s all I ever wanted to do. I wasn’t interested in playing elsewhere, so to have the opportunity to come to Hawthorn when I was 18, was immense.

“It was something I had dreamt about for a very long time. I see this contract as another step in my career.”

Langford hopes to force his way into the senior side by living and breathing the values and attributes necessary of a Hawthorn player.

He is a tough, in and under player with an at times, kamikaze attack on the football.  

He says those are the characteristics of Hawthorn players past and present, having grown up knowing players like Chris Mew, Dermott Brereton and John Platten and learning about the Legends like Leigh Matthews and David Parkin.

“Growing up in a Hawthorn family I was quite aware of the history of the football club and the fact that there’s always been a premium, and in my mind the view that the typical Hawthorn footballer, the clubman is a tough, inside player,” he said.

“That’s something I always liked about Hawthorn, the fact they were quite down to earth and really strong, tough players and I suppose elements of that have come into my game because I strive to be like that.

“If you go through the Legends of the Club, a lot of them were really tough footballers so if I can bring elements of their game into mine, then I’d be very pleased.”

Langford earned his debut in Round 16 last year after two years on the rookie list, but a promising NAB Challenge and pre-season has him in the frame for senior selection in Round 1 on Saturday.

It is not the prestige of playing senior football that drives Langford to work harder on the track and in the gym, though, but rather being part of and seeing the Club he loves achieve success.

“My main goal, whether I’m playing or not, I just want to be at a club that’s winning premierships,” he said.

“I love Hawthorn and that’s what everyone is here for, to see the Club win another premiership.

“I want to keep improving on the field but at the end of the day we’ve just got to work hard as a team, as individuals and continue to build, which will stand us in good stead for whatever the future holds for the footy club.”

As he hopes to forge a career and help build success at the club he loves, Langford says it is the history of Hawthorn that drives him to be the best footballer and person he can.

“One of the biggest influences on me has been the history of the Club and the rich values and traditions are within the Club,” he said.

“The senior guys in the playing group as well as the coaches and guys like Peter Knights who works at the Club as well do a great job in educating the young guys that come into the system about the history and realising the significance of being part of the Hawthorn Football Club and how special that is.

“For me, the close-knit group and the education that goes into the young guys coming in gives me an appreciation for being part of Hawthorn and pulling on the brown and gold.”

And this new contract is the first step in his desire to help write the next phase of Hawthorn Football Club history.

“It’s great to look back at the Club’s history and know where we’ve come from and what we’ve achieved but at the same time it’s exciting to think that going forward, I may have the honour to be part of that and maybe write a few pages in the history books,” he said.

“That’s what drives me and to see more success at the footy club whether it’s this year, next year or in the years after that, it’s the motivating factor for me.”