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Melbourne recruit Ed Langdon excited for former Freo teammate Harley Bennell

New Demon Ed Langdon has seen former teammate Harley Bennell up close. That’s why he’s excited to see what his former teammate might be able to do when he joins him in Melbourne.

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Melbourne recruit Ed Langdon says former Fremantle teammate Harley Bennell will relish the opportunity to push for a third chance at AFL football with the Demons.

Earlier this month, the Demons confirmed Bennell would train with the club following the AFL draft.

“I’ve spoken to Harley a bit and that’s really exciting – I couldn’t be happier for him,” Langdon said on Monday.

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Harley Bennell will train with the Demons. Pic: Getty Images
Harley Bennell will train with the Demons. Pic: Getty Images
New Dee Ed Langdon at his first training session with Melbourne. Pic: AAP
New Dee Ed Langdon at his first training session with Melbourne. Pic: AAP

“He texted me saying he might be here in a few weeks. It’s great, and I think it’s unbelievable for Harley.

“It’s a great opportunity for him and hopefully he can get his body right, because we obviously all know how good of a player he is.”

Bennell was drafted to the Suns at pick No.2 in 2010 and played 81 games, kicking 92 goals, before being traded to Fremantle at the end of 2015 following a number of off-field issues.

The talented 27-year-old had a plethora of calf issues during his time at Fremantle and made just two AFL appearances for the Dockers, both at the end of the 2017 season.

Meanwhile Langdon said he was keen to kick on since moving to Melbourne and help the Demons bounce back after a poor 2019 campaign.

Angus Brayshaw and Christian Petracca (front, left) led off the Dees in a time trial around the ‘Tan. Pic: Getty Images
Angus Brayshaw and Christian Petracca (front, left) led off the Dees in a time trial around the ‘Tan. Pic: Getty Images

The 23-year-old winger joined the Demons via a trade after booting 33 goals in 68 games at Fremantle.

“I wasn’t here for that but the way the boys spoke even about it this morning – it obviously hurt them and cut them pretty deep,” Langdon said.

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“So I think everyone’s pretty keen to put that year behind us and move onto next season.”

Langdon said he expected to continue playing his footy on the wing as the Demons eyed a return to the finals.

“I imagine it was pretty hard to go from a top-four finish to a bottom-four finish. So (finals are) certainly the number one team goal,” he said.

“Personally, if I can just continue to do what I was doing over at Freo, then I’ll be pretty happy if I can help the team.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/melbourne-recruit-ed-langdon-excited-for-former-freo-teammate-harley-bennell/news-story/b2b5bc2544ccfc62f60dd58a170f1e3a