ESSENDON teenager Kyle Langford is using Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe as his inspiration for what he hopes will be a breakout 2017 season.

Langford played 17 games this year and starred in the Bombers' round 23 win over Carlton with three goals from 14 possessions, but has set himself some even bigger goals for his third season. 

The mobile forward hopes another few months of training over summer can propel him further up the ground, and he's identified Fremantle's star midfielder as the perfect person to base his game around.

At 191cm, Langford is slightly taller than Fyfe, but he is listed at just 80kg compared to the Docker's 91kg.

"I've had a look at (Nat) Fyfe and how he went about it," Langford told the Bombers' website.

"I got some information off 'Harves' (assistant coach Mark Harvey) and 'Crowls' (2016 top-up player Ryan Crowley) – how he (Fyfe) went from being a normal player to the elite player he is.

"I've had a look at that and based my game and my lifestyle off that.

"I spoke with John (Worsfold) just before the season ended and he does see me as a midfielder – a tall mid roaming around the ground.

"Whether that's next year or in the years to come depends on how I train during the pre-season.

"Next year I think I'll (continue to) play that high half-forward and hopefully a little bit through the midfield."

While most of the competition's players have headed overseas for an annual holiday at the end of a tough season, Langford remained in Melbourne to train this year.

The 19-year-old got plenty of opportunities in 2016, but he knows they'll be harder to come by next year, with the return of most of Essendon's suspended players. 

His decision shows enormous commitment and a level head beyond his years, and Langford is hopeful his small sacrifice will pay off when the Bombers meet arch rivals Hawthorn in round one next year.

"I haven't gone away this off-season because I know how hard it's going to be once we get the boys back and some draft picks," Langford said.

"I've worked pretty hard with Alex Morgan and Aaron Francis.

"'Franga' (Francis) is looking really good – everyone is looking pretty good and I'm fit and healthy."