Sitting with his family from Margaret River in Western Australia, Marsh's mind was all over the place as the NAB AFL Draft entered the 70s.
The five names called as the draft reached pick No.77 were all rookie elevations.
His hopes of being on an AFL list in 2014 appeared dashed.
"I was starting to feel what poor Tommy felt the year before," Marsh told AFL.com.au.
"I was seriously shattered. When my name got called out I broke down a bit. It was way too emotional."
His brother Harry, who the Sydney Swans drafted the year before with pick No.44, had told him the night would be nerve-wracking.
But nothing much can prepare you for being what Marsh was that night: the last player – apart from rookie elevations – chosen to enter the system on a senior AFL list.
Langdon missed out completely in 2012. Such was his disappointment he listened to this year's draft in his car, on his own, as the Magpies chose him with pick No.65.
He had spent the year wisely, co-captain of the Sandringham Dragons as a top-age player in the TAC Cup, and playing half a dozen games with the Sandringham Zebras, testing his mettle against big bodies, before an elbow injury cut his season short. He also studied business-arts at Monash University and helped out as an assistant coach at Melbourne Grammar thirds.
But to hear him describe the impact of missing out is a reminder that for every good story on draft night, there is a young man struggling to cope with the disappointment.
"It was a tough period in my life. It took me a while to get over: just reading other success stories. It was just hard, [seeing] how others had got their opportunity and you're sitting at home without it," Langdon said.
"It was tough initially but … you learn so much from it, so I guess it has been a blessing in disguise in that it has taught me so much about myself and about footy and about life."
And that is from a 19-year-old who seems intelligent, articulate and filled with belief in his ability, who comes from a family that has run a successful food ingredients business under the family name for 150 years.
Those familiar with the family say they are as down to earth as they are successful and Langdon gives every impression in a 20-minute interview of being able to relate to all types.
He certainly knows how to listen to his peers. The young defender said playing alongside former Saint Jason Blake for the Zebras was great for his development.
He can remember Blake telling him in a game against Essendon to always know where his man was before he attacked.
"Always be in a position to defend before you move away and decide you want to attack," Langford recalled.
Marsh has a similar willingness to learn from others and a family background to fill anyone with pride. His demeanour is quieter than Langdon's but he exhibits a steeliness moulded in the hot kiln that is senior football around Margaret River.
His grandfather Ray Sorrell is footballing royalty in Western Australia, the East Fremantle left-footer winning two Sandover Medals (one retrospectively), two Simpson medals and being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004 as well as being named on the wing in the East Fremantle team of the century.
"Growing up he has always had a good influence," Marsh said. "His advice was just gold so I took in everything I could."
Sorrell told Marsh to attack the contested ball with ferocity and stay confident. When Marsh saw some footage recently of his grandfather he gained further appreciation of how good a player he was.
Becoming a better player has always been Marsh's intent. He reckons his brother Harry was twice the player he was when growing up but, like his grandfather, he inspired him to work hard too.
"As a junior, I was always doing a little bit extra, working harder than everyone else. I wasn't the star player," Marsh said.
When he won a spot in the region's Sports Academy he began to work on his speed and power.
At the NAB AFL Draft Combine he recorded the second fastest 20m sprint in draft history, exploding from the blocks like a clay target at a shooting range.
But he knows that he remains a little way off and needs to build his endurance. He suspects being in a professional environment will enable him to improve quickly and that he needs to narrow the gap between his best and worst.
Some see him as a forward, but the 192cm Marsh thinks he is best suited to the midfield. Of course, he'll play anywhere.
Langdon is a running, versatile defender with hands like a classy wicketkeeper and a sharp kick. He shapes as a player who can work through the grades without losing much.
Langdon was invited to speak to Melbourne Grammar's year seven and eight sports night a week ago. He recalled former students Tom Hawkins and Xavier Ellis doing a similar thing when he was a youngster and the impact that had on him, so he accepted.
His message was pretty simple but also very mature: "Have confidence in your own ability because you are going to cop setbacks. People are going to tell you're not good enough but you have just got to ignore them and really work on your self belief and surround yourself with good people."
Now at Collingwood, surrounded by good people, both are knuckling down.
Last week they went to the Grampians with the first to fourth year players, and got to know their new teammates a bit better while walking through the scenic national park.
Marsh has settled in with Tyson Goldsack temporarily, the laid back utility making his adjustment much easier than he imagined.
Langdon has the opportunity he craved, travelling from home with a goal in mind.
When they were picked hardly matters anymore.
It's just a reminder that chances like this are hard earned.
And whatever happens both seem young men ready to make the best of what life has to offer.
