EFL: Tom Langford appointed Waverley Blues coach
Incoming Waverley Blues coach Tom Langford has wasted little time setting expectations for the EFL Division 3 club, declaring it a premiership contender.
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Tom Langford is setting some lofty expectations for Waverley Blues in 2020.
“Our goal is to win a flag in 2020. Simple as that,” Langford said, shortly after it was announced he had accepted the coaching position at the EFL Division 3 club.
“I’ve already made the group aware that’s our goal and there’s no reason we should hide that or hold back on it.”
Langford, 32, replaces Bryce McGain, who was axed just days after Waverley’s grand final loss against undefeated South Belgrave.
It is his first senior coaching job after serving in a VFL development role at Richmond under Craig McRae for the past three years.
Langford had a connection at the Blues through club great Paul Savage.
He said Waverley’s plan for success was a “massive drawcard”.
“To put it simply, the Waverley Blues committee has got a super aggressive and ambitious strategy over the next five years, which, for me, was a really exciting challenge … to rapidly rise through the ranks and take the club back to where it belongs,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity to leave a really big mark on a community.”
Langford came through Oakleigh Chargers and played 12 years of state league football at Port Melbourne, Tasmania Devils, West Adelaide and Richmond.
He missed Port’s 2011 flag through injury and has played at Sorrento for the past two years after spending a season at Central Murray league club Woorinen.
Waverley won its first final in 11 years this season and Langford said the club was ready to move through the divisions.
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“This list is in a really healthy spot, so that was another key factor for me to take that challenge on,” he said.
“I didn’t think we had to spend a year building a list, and then attack premierships and promotion. I felt it was ready to go straight away.”
Langford said his experience at Richmond had held him in good stead for senior coaching.
“Seeing that place turn around since 2016 to obviously VFL and AFL success has been unbelievable to watch, learn from and experience,” he said.
“There’s a lot of things from there I’m sure I can take back to local footy because it’s a lot of philosophy-based stuff, rather than professional-based stuff, that I think is translatable to any business, workplace or footy club.”
Waverley president Steve Pewtress was thrilled with the appointment.
“We know our club is on the rise so this was a critical appointment,” Pewtress said.
“Tom’s VFL experience both as a player and coach is exactly what our club needs to take us into our next phase as we continue to chase on-field success.
“We have a young playing list and a number of quality recruits lined up to enable our club to leap forward.
“Having Tom at the helm with his vision, intelligence, energy and leadership will promote a dynamic football club environment.”
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