Ed Langdon knows all about the highs and lows of the NAB AFL Draft. His older brother Tom, now at Collingwood, was originally overlooked on draft day, so Ed approached it with not too much expectation.
“I was actually listening to it (the AFL Draft) on the radio in the car with my girlfriend,” he said.
“I opted not to listen to it with the family because my brother went through that and didn’t get drafted and that was quite tough.
“I decided to sit in the car with my girlfriend, next to the river and listen to it there and just hope.”
And when Fremantle selected the Victorian from Sandringham with pick 54, his boyhood dream became a reality.
“It hasn’t really sunk in that I’ll be playing with some of the greats of the game, so I’m pretty ecstatic at the moment,” he said.
“It’s quite a daunting prospect moving interstate away from your family and friends, but getting the chance on an AFL list is a dream come true.”
The 18-year-old midfielder/forward said there’s a few Freo players that he will be star struck by once he arrives at Fremantle Oval.
“I like to model my game a lot on how Stephen Hill plays, so to be at a club with him, I’m sure I’ll learn a lot off him and I’m super excited,” he said.
“And then obviously the Nat Fyfe’s and the Matty Pavlich’s of the world are some big footy names so it will be quite daunting, but I can’t wait.”
There is no doubt it will be a big move coming West, but Langdon has experienced the Perth sunshine before and it’s one place he is already accustomed to.
“I’ve got a great opportunity to start my life again, pretty much,” he said.
“It will be pretty scary at the start being away from family and friends, but I’m really excited about what it has to offer.
“I’ve been to Perth a few times and I love it.”
One key support network for Ed throughout his footy career has been his brother Tom and the new Freo recruit was quick to heap praise on him.
“Tom has been a massive help over the last few years, especially over the last year,” he said.
“I guess he’s a bit different because he went through not getting drafted and then went through getting drafted and now having success on an AFL list.
“He’s pretty much experienced it all at the moment, so he’s been a huge help.”
One prospect that has just crossed Ed’s mind is the possibility of playing against Tom, but he can’t wait for that chance.
“I’ve never played against him, but I’ve played with him a few times,” he said.
“We were arguing about this last night, actually.
“That would be a dream come true, I’d love to show him that the younger brother has what it takes.”
