EFNL 2023: Waverley Blues coach Tom Langford steps down in pursuit of next opportunity

Outgoing Waverley Blues flag coach Tom Langford reveals his hunt for a higher opportunity following his decision to step down after four years.

OUTGOING Waverley Blues mentor Tom Langford has his sights set on higher coaching opportunities after stepping down from his post of four years.

The playing-coach informed the Blues’ hierarchy last week of his decision to call time in order to pursue his career aspirations.

Langford took over at the Blues’ helm following the 2019 season, lifting the club to the Eastern league Division 3 flag in 2022 – its first senior premiership since 2008.

The former Port Melbourne and Richmond VFL player declared he was “ready” for the challenge of a higher coaching role.

Tom Langford took over at the Blues following 2019. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“It’s always been a goal of mine to be a professional coach … when I made the decision to take on the job at Waverley four years ago now, that was very much on my radar,” Langford said.

“I’m throwing my hat in the ring for a couple of different AFL jobs, and also some VFL and Coates Talent League (senior) roles, so I guess essentially, full-time professional with the goal of step by step, taking it to the very top.

“I was an assistant for three years under Craig McRae at Richmond VFL … the experiences I’ve gained at Waverley and the success we’ve had was definitely to help me lead a team and I think I’m definitely ready for that.”

Langford served as captain and assistant under current Collingwood coach Craig McRae in the Richmond VFL program. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The 36-year-old highlighted current Collingwood coach McRae’s influence on his career.

“Much of my philosophy and the way I approach training and relationship-building has come directly from him – I was lucky enough to captain underneath him, then coach underneath him,” Langford said.

Langford said he was confident the broad experience of the Blues job would prepare him for the rigours of a higher opportunity.

“The motivation to go to Waverley was to really be able to hopefully build a club and not just lead a program and Waverley seemed to be a club with some potential that was currently untapped,” he said.

“The club and committee were open to what they needed and were able to find a coach that wanted to take the club by the horns and lead it to hopefully some higher divisions and build a program.

“That role really appealed to me … and I was really able to get exposed to so many areas of football, not just coaching, but from a development perspective, footy ops, re-engaging with the community.

“It was more than just leading the team.”

The Waverley Blues celebrate the 2022 Division 3 flag. Picture: Davis Harrigan

While “open” to remaining at the club as a player, Langford said he was “also prepared to close that chapter” of his career.

“It depends where I’m coaching, and whether the new (Blues) coach would be happy to have me … if I’m able to, I’m open to it,” he said.

“I guess it’s probably driven more by my connection to the players and passion for the club that we definitely think we’ve got some potential there to win, and if I’m able to, I’d love to be a part of it.

“But it (playing) is definitely my second focus.”

Blues fans and players celebrate the 2022 flag win. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Blues went on a club-record 20-game winning streak under Langford’s tutelage – losing just one match on the way to the 2022 flag.

The club went more than a year without a loss – from Round 1, 2022 to Round 3, 2023 – before playing finals again this season in a higher division.

Despite lifting a cup, the outgoing coach said he was most proud of the “journey as a whole” during his time at the Blues, which included significant growth in senior and junior ranks.

“Whilst it was always hopefully a stepping stone for me, I wanted to absolutely leave my mark on a club by leaving it in a better position than what I found it, and I’m really proud that we’ve been able to do that.”