Melbourne interim coach Troy Chaplin has reminded the competition of teenager Harvey Langford's impact for the Dees this season.
Ahead of the 2025 AFL Rising Star being announced later this week, Chaplin noted the significant influence Langford has had across a variety of roles in 2025.
The 190cm brute received a Rising Star nomination in Round 3 for a 26-disposal, six-clearance effort, with then Melbourne coach labelling the teenager Melbourne's ‘best midfielder' in that game.
He's since settled on the wing, where he's consistently showcased his transition strength, with 26 disposals and a game-high 665 metres gained in a six-point loss to Collingwood, capping a debut season where he played 22 games.
“I don't think he's talked about enough from a Rising Star point of view,” Chaplin said of Langford post-game.
“There's some very good young players out there, but Harvey's impact for us has been phenomenal.
“Early on, he was playing inside mid; we tried him a bit forward, but then he's really found his role on the wing for us.
“He's great overhead and that's still developing in his game, he can hit the scoreboard, he uses the footy well, he's got a booming left foot.”
Langford has averaged 18 disposals, five score involvements and three marks per game.
After having five disposals playing as a substitute on debut, he was omitted the following week, but spent just one week in the VFL, impressing those at Casey with his buy-in and attitude.
It precipitated a 23-disposal performance, leading to an immediate recall, and he had 26 disposals in his first full game at the level.
While Langford's performances have been less consistent, he's stood up in big moments, with his best games comparable to his best games, helping influence the outcome of contests.
“We're really pleased with how he's developed this year and to play really well on the big stage Friday night against Collingwood - these are the sort of experiences we wanted for our younger guys, and he was super,” Chaplin said.
Fremantle forward Murphy Reid, Brisbane father-son pickup Levi Ashcroft and Adelaide's Dan Curtin are viewed as the front-runners for the AFL Rising Star race.
