AFL Draft: Melbourne selects Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay in first round

The Demons drew a line on a difficult year on Wednesday night, landing two young guns at the top of the draft, but is it a sign of their doubt surrounding the futures of their superstar midfielders?

Melbourne has attempted to future-proof its prime midfield brigade, snaring a pair of gun left-footed midfielders with its prized first-round picks at the national draft.

The Demons drew a line on a difficult year on Wednesday night taking tough 190cm onballer Harvey Langford, from Mount Martha, at six, and smart Leongatha utility Xavier Lindsay at 11.

While the club is adamant it can rejoin the premiership contenders next season, it was clear the Demons were out to lay fresh foundations for the next generation engine room amid clouds over the futures of superstar on-ballers Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver next year.

But Melbourne hopes it has hit the jackpot with its twin picks after off-loading its future first-round selection plus 28, 40 and 46 for the No. 11 choice from the Bombers for Lindsay.

Melbourne draft picks, Xavier Lindsay (let) and Harvey Langford (right) with Simon Goodwin. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Langford modelled his game on Western Bulldogs’ champion Marcus Bontempelli and was the best-performed player at the national championships for his strong-bodied clearance work and damaging overhead marking.

The well-rounded Lindsay can run hard and link-up off half back and will offer Simon Goodwin the versatility to play in and outside midfield roles.

National recruiting manager Jason Taylor was adamant the Demons “categorically” could contend for a flag in 2025, but said it was the right time to reinvest in the midfield.

“There was a little bit of a leaning towards wanting to build that (midfield) underneath and the time was right and with two blue-chip picks we thought it was a good opportunity,” Taylor said.

“It rejuvenates us and hopefully makes us better.

“We are well and truly still in the hitting zone (for the premiership) with the age and demographic of our list, so if we can add some really talented youth underneath through the draft we will do that.”

Langford has the physical strength and size to push for senior selection from the early part of next season, while Lindsay, who won the Morrish Medal as the best and fairest in the Coates Talent League, is returning from a posterior cruciate ligament injury.

Melbourne’s star on-ballers have both been in trade rumours. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Taylor said Langford starred in an inside midfield role and could also hit the scoreboard.

“To get Harvey is a real thrill for us. We love the way he plays, he is a big strong midfielder with a real edge about him,” he said.

“He has got high footy IQ and he has got a unique aerial ability which not many midfielders really possess like he does.

“First and foremost he is an absolute competitor and a strong leader and he was co-captain of the Dandenong Stingrays, Larke Medalist and just had an ultra-consistent season.

“We are rapt to bring him into the midfield and start building that young midfield underneath.”

Taylor said Lindsay was an expert reader of the game all around the ground.

“His IQ is high as well and he has unbelievable spatial awareness. He (Lindsay) just knows what is around him,” Taylor said.

“He really carries the footy and he is an elite kick and he has got good speed and he has got an ability to play in a lot of different positions.

“He plays them all well.”

Originally published as AFL Draft: Melbourne selects Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay in first round