Kane Lambert again showed why he’s such a pivotal player in the Richmond line-up with his top-class display against Geelong at the MCG last Friday night.

The gun midfielder had 31 disposals, eight inside-50s, eight intercepts, eight score involvements, six marks, seven tackles and 453 metres gained in the Tigers’ three-point win.

After finishing third in the Jack Dyer Medal in Richmond’s 2017 premiership year, Lambert has elevated his game to an even higher level this season.

He is averaging 22.4 disposals per match and is ranked 10^th in the competition for score involvements.

With his hard, two-way running, pace, ball-winning ability and good disposal, he has developed into one of AFL football’s best midfielders.

And the 26-year-old believes he still has scope for more improvement, especially given the fact he’s into only his fourth season of league football, with just 70 games of experience.

“I think there’s a lot of growth in my game,” Lambert told SEN’s ‘Crunch Time’ program.

“When you’re told you’re not good enough for so long, somewhere deep inside you probably start to believe it.

“But to be able to put performance and continuity in my footy, the belief started to grow . . . You feel comfortable and like you belong . . .

“I think the wheel started to turn midway through last year . . . (assistant coaches) Blake Caracella and Andrew McQualter have been huge for me in that regard.

“They’re allowing me to play to my strengths, which is great for my confidence as well.”

Another feature of Lambert’s game this season has been his increased potency up forward. He’s kicked 15 goals so far, compared to 13 for the entire 2017 season.

“I did want to become a little bit more damaging centre forward, particularly. I thought last year I probably wasn’t as clean as I would have liked,” he said.

“Getting on the scoreboard, and being involved in scoring chains, was a bit of focus for me.

“My best footy at VFL level I was able to kick goals and my next step I felt, at AFL level, was to be a bit more damaging in the front half.”