Pilbara product living his AFL dream in harbour city

Zac Langdon is living every Pilbara boy’s dream as he begins training for the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

From small beginnings at the Dampier Sharks, the 22-year-old midfielder-forward is settling into Sydney life and hopes to follow in the footsteps of the last great AFL player from Dampier, West Coast premiership ruckman Dean Cox.

Having started training, Mr Langdon said that despite the new surroundings the new experience had not slowed him down. “It’s obviously a big step from Pilbara footy to WAFL, then obviously another big step training for an AFL club,” he said. “It’s full time now, everyday and they really make you work hard here.

“It’s a different environment, pretty professional the way it all works here and I’ve never been to Sydney before so it’s all a pretty new experience but real good none the less.”

Identified as a future star by Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley in Dampier three years ago, Langdon said he was proud of his country roots and encouraged all footy players to take the leap of faith and follow their dreams.

“It’s really good to come from the country, ” he said.

“Definitely, for me back in Dampier, I was a bit scared to take the opportunity and whether it would even work out for me. But taking that jump to Perth really set me up to realise I did have what it takes.

“If you think you have what it takes, or even if you don’t, just have a crack at it and believe in yourself because anything can happen.”

Langdon said he was ready for a big summer and hoped to get an opportunity to debut in his first year.