OF THE many things better about Essendon's past eight weeks compared to its first block of games, the form of Kyle Langford shouldn't be overlooked.

Langford is enjoying his best stretch of performances at AFL level in his fourth season as a Bomber, and in the past four weeks has averaged 21 disposals playing through the midfield.

But his success in that role has not come overnight.

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It was at the start of last season that Essendon coach John Worsfold took Langford aside.

"He sat me down and said 'We're looking for an inside midfielder and we think you can fit that role'," Langford told AFL.com.au this week.  

"He gave me the challenge of either playing AFL in the forward line or going back to the VFL and playing in the midfield. If the senior coach sees you playing in a position he wants me to play in the AFL then you grab onto it.

"It was a tough year or 18 months in the VFL playing good footy and not getting a game, but all the hard work I've done over the past couple of years is finally coming out."

Langford arrived at Essendon at the end of 2014 as a first-round draft choice who had barely played in the midfield, preferring a role as a smart half-forward who could mark well above his size.

But he, and the Bombers, saw more opportunities through the midfield at senior level so, after four rounds last year, he was sent back to the VFL to work on that side of his game. He gradually improved, but managed just two more senior games for the season.

Langford prepared for the midfield role over the last pre-season and played there in Essendon's round one win over Adelaide this year, gathering 23 disposals. He had 15 touches and kicked a goal the next week against Fremantle, but was then dropped, to the confusion of some. But not to Langford.

His line and development coaches – Hayden Skipworth and James Kelly – thought he was a bit "sluggish" from contest to contest, that he got stuck ball-watching and wasn't using his pace as much as he could. He was sent back to the VFL with strict instructions.

"You can sulk and go back to the VFL and play pretty poor footy, but I saw it as an opportunity to get better. I gave myself a challenge to play the best footy I can," the 21-year-old said.

"They gave me a really clear challenge and I knew what I had to improve on and that I wouldn’t get a game or get a look-in until I did improve in those areas.

"I've pretty much learnt from scratch how to play in the midfield and it does take time. I've seen that come out in my footy the past month and a bit."

Langford is not yet entrenched in Essendon's line-up but has played eight games in a row – the longest run of his career – and looks far more settled as a tall, strong ball-winner who can distribute it well by hand and foot.

He knew there'd be opportunities this year if he was good enough. The Bombers lost plenty of inside midfield experience at the end of last year, with the departure including club champion Jobe Watson.

During the pre-season, Worsfold asked Langford if he wanted to take on Watson's No.4 guernsey. Langford felt uneasy about the chance, but put in a call to his former skipper, who was overseas. He's glad he did.

"He said 'I'd love for you to take my number' and he spoke about how hard I'd worked," Langford said.

"To hear him say he wanted me to take his jumper meant in the end it was a no-brainer for me to accept it.

"It made me believe in myself even more, that the harder I work things will fall my way. That conversation with Jobe was tough because I did look up to him and I felt almost that I hadn't earned the right to wear No.4. And a lot of people did see that I didn't deserve it.

"But to have Jobe and 'Woosha' and the rest of the club want me to take on that number, I thought it was a huge privilege and honour and I've embraced it."

Langford is out of contract at the end of this season, but having only recently found his place in the side, he doesn't want to move anywhere else.

"I'd love to stay at Essendon, I've loved my time here. I'm a Melbourne boy, all my family and friends are around here and I've got some really close relationships at Essendon now," he said.