Almost 25 years after their fathers went head-to-head in the 1989 VFL grand final, Gold Coast SUNS star Gary Ablett is likely to come face-to-face with young Hawthorn tagger Will Langford on Saturday night.

The 21-year-old Hawk is the son of one of Hawthorn’s greatest backmen, Chris Langford, who tried manfully to stop Gary Ablett Snr in the ’89 decider when he booted a record-setting nine goals in a losing effort for Geelong.

Langford has been handed the run-with role in the Hawks’ last couple of games and can expect to spend time on the reigning Brownlow Medal winner at Metricon Stadium.  

Liam Shiels is also likely to spend time wearing Ablett like a glove after he restricted the Gold Coast champion in the second half of the teams’ last contest when Hawthorn  prevailed by 28 points after the GC SUNS led by as many as 17 points in the third term.

Former Hawk Peter Schwab, who played alongside Langford Snr in the great Hawks teams of the late 80s and very early 90s, told The Age newspaper this week it will be interesting to see another Langford trying to negate a megastar Ablett.

“It’s different in a way because they’re going to be playing around the middle,” Schwab said.

“But the influence of Gary is just as significant for his side as his father’s was for his team, way back when.

“I think (Will’s) going well, really well.  He’s got good run.”

Despite playing just one senior game last season, Langford’s toughness was noted by coaching staff last year, when he split time in the backline and midfield with VFL side Box Hill.

The Hawks have a reputation as being the cleanest side by foot in the competition, but GC SUNS assistant coach Matthew Primus said nobody should underestimate how physically strong and tough the reigning premiers are.

“I think what is overlooked is their hardness at the contested football,” Primus said.

“Ours has also been pretty good, but we have to match them in that area before we can get them in other areas.”

Ablett Snr actually debuted for Hawthorn back in 1982 but played just six senior games for the Hawks.