Recruited by coach Jack Worrall in 1905, Lang debuted for Carlton in the opening round of the following season.

He played as a rover, winning premierships in his first three years at the club and in 1909 was voted by The Australasian newspaper as the most 'Outstanding player in the VFL'.

During the 1910 final series, Lang became involved in a match-fixing scandal after being dropped from the side for the second semi-final against South Melbourne.

Regardless of his plea of innocence, he was found guilty along with Fraser, and both were banned for 99 games, a total of five years.

The story of Lang's fall from grace is recounted in the 2020 book On the Take by Tony Joel and Mathew Turner.