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Langford cements grand final spot

Should Hawthorn veteran Brad Sewell play in the AFL grand final, it won’t be at Will Langford’s expense.

Langford’s star continued to rise on Saturday with a poised, impressive performance in the preliminary final win over Port Adelaide.

Far from feeling the September heat, the son of Hawthorn great and AFL commissioner Chris Langford relished it.

Commenting on Sewell’s omission, coach Alastair Clarkson pointed to their greater depth in the midfield – and mentioned Langford’s emergence in the latter part of the season.

The 22-year-old started in the midfield and after a scratchy start, was in the thick of the action.

As Port hit them with everything in the first term and threatened to break the game open, Hawks captain Luke Hodge played a critical role.

But his young teammate Langford was also prominent, kicking their second goal.

Langford’s most important job came in the third term, when he went onto Travis Boak.

The Port captain had been outstanding in the first half and had the most possessions on the ground.

While he continued to have an influence with six more disposals, Langford was even better with seven.

It seemed enough when Hawthorn kicked two early goals in the last quarter and led by 29 points.

But Port were not done and Boak nearly led his team to a miracle comeback win.

While Langford was not quite so prominent in the last term, he still had the most possessions of any Hawks player with 29.

Langford’s disposals and 10 clearances are career-best figures.

And he’s playing in his first AFL grand final.

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