AFL round one 2026, scores, results, odds, stats and start time from the MCG in Melbourne, Zach Merrett
While Kyle Langford figures to play a key role in Essendon’s bid to climb the AFL ladder, he expects to have plenty of injuries behind him.
Langford, who was limited to just nine games last year, spent time in the off-season at a private facility specializing in elite sports medicine in Qatar in a bid to break the injury curse.
Bombers’ Kyle Langford is committed to the 2025 season.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
So far it has had the desired effect; The 29-year-old is estimated to have completed 90-95 per cent of his pre-season program while working closely with the Bombers’ new fitness team, Mat Inness and David Regan.
This leaves Langford in good shape both physically and mentally ahead of Essendon’s season-opening clash with Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night.
“All you really want is to have that foundation at the start of the year so you’re not always trying to play catch-up,” Langford told AAP.
“I feel like my body is ready for a good year, at least right now.
“The hamstrings and quads were a total bust… but I’m looking forward to this year and we’ve got a pretty good plan.”
Langford, a two-time club-leading goalkeeper, is part of the revamped Essendon leadership group and former captain Zach Merrett resigned following his unsuccessful move to the Hawks.
Langford throws his support behind new captain Andy McGrath, while also backing Merrett remaining a key part of the Bombers’ midfield.
“He’s extremely professional about football,” Langford said of Merrett, the six-time best-and-fairest winner.
“He prepares very well for training and he, more than anyone else, wants to go out there and play really good football.”
Essendon managed just six wins last year and finished the season almost entirely with the team on the injury list.
They are relishing the chance of a restart in 2026, opening a new chapter in their decades-long rivalry with Hawthorn.
“This is a huge game to show the opponents what we’ve done over the last three months,” Langford said.
“There will be over 90,000 people there, so we’re excited to get out there.
“The Hawks have already gotten a little bit ahead and we want to challenge them.”
The Bombers selected three of last year’s draft picks (Dyson Sharp, Max Kondogiannis and Huss El Achkar) to make their debuts in the season opener.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn dropped Harry Morrison and Finn Maginness and called up Ned Reeves and Cam Mackenzie after their opening-round knock from GWS.
AAP
