Forward Kyle Langford is excited for the Bombers to make their return to Bendigo for the first time since 2020.

The Bombers will head North for the first time in three years to participate in their first community camp since COVID-19 from February 9-10.

The opportunity for Essendon to make their way back is full of joy with the club having a shared history with the town, especially through the VFL where the club’s affiliate the Bendigo Bombers existed from 2003-2012.

15:33

Dons on Radio | Kyle Langford on SEN

Midfielder Kyle Langford joined Dwaynes World on SEN for a chat on Wednesday, February 1.

The Bombers will be looking to make their trip not only about their footy, where they will be looking to visit schools and local footy clubs as well.

Langford says he is excited and looking forward to the camp.

“Next Thursday and Friday we will be in Bendigo, we will be heading down to a few schools and footy clubs, having a bit of a trot up there,” Langford told SEN.

“Bring your footies, jumpers and kids, we are there to be a part of the community for a few days.

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BTV: Bombers brighten up Bendigo

Go inside the Bombers' 2020 AFL community camp in Bendigo.

“We are there to be a part of the community for a few days.”

While the community aspect will be paramount on the trip, the football perspective will feature a heavy emphasis on continuing to implement new structures, specifically those that will help with the side’s defence.

As mentioned by defender Jake Kelly, the side will be looking to rectify last year’s poor defensive structure, especially in transition.

“The way we defended didn’t help us reserve energy for last part of quarters and games,” Langford said.

“Hopefully our front half turnover game will help us get through games.

“We are excited to get into games and start implementing this on other teams and not just each other.”

With a lot of work still ahead before round one, Langford is under no illusion that it will take a strong mindset to be able to challenge the top eight.

“Every team is flying at this time of year,” Langford said.

“I feel we have implemented a lot of things in our program to help us succeed. We are under no illusion that we can walk into the eight, it will be a hard slog.

“We are going to have to work our ringer off to get in there.”