Gamble pays dividends

Matthew Galea

July 29 2014

Shepparton News

Tom Langman does not usually play up front, but he does the extra shooting practice anyway.

It proved a good thing for Goulburn Valley Suns on Saturday night, when the defender came off the bench to score the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Knights.

With Craig Carley out following suspension, Langman was the last roll of the dice for the Suns, coming on after 58 minutes.

The Suns were chasing Knights’ one-goal lead and seemingly without a true number nine to turn to, coach David Davkovski took a chance on Langman in the hope his added height and physical presence would trouble the Knights’ defence.

Fittingly, Langman took to the pitch in Carley’s number nine shirt and when Zac Foxhoven broke down the left wing and drilled in a low, teasing cross, you could have sworn it was Carley on the end of it.

It was not the cleanest of contact and eventually found its way into the back of the net via a deflection, but Langman insisted it was going in regardless.

‘‘When ‘Foxy’ took off I saw Benny (Clarke) cutting in from the right and going towards goal so I thought ‘I’ll just hang back in the space behind’,’’ Langman said.

‘‘When it came through the defenders I was just trying to hit the target.

‘‘I swear it was going in before it took a deflection as well, but it definitely helped out.’’

The 25-year-old did not know what to do with himself after scoring, suggesting his celebration game needs improving, but said relief was the overwhelming emotion in a season where opportunities have been few and far between.

‘‘I started warming up after half-time because I’ve been itching to get on the last few weeks,’’ Langman said. ‘‘When ‘Davko’ said I was going up front it was a bit of a surprise, but I’ve seen enough games that you just have to put yourself about a bit and bust your ass running around.

‘‘I was just relieved when it went in. We created a few chances in the second half and defensively we held them out, so it was nice to get another good result at home in front of a good crowd.’’

With quality and experience at the back in Simon Colosimo and Naum Sekulovski, Langman accepts he is second-choice at the back, but said he loved learning off the duo.

‘‘I’ve had opportunities when there has been injury and suspensions and I always knew that would be the case this year,’’ Langman said. ‘‘I definitely have to have that versatility.’’

The Suns, which will feature the likes of Langman and Frankie Lagana, travel to Bentleigh this weekend.