Tough, hard-working midfielder Kane Lambert has described his first year in the AFL system with Richmond as “challenging, but good fun”.
Lambert, who was overlooked in several AFL drafts, before being picked up by the Tigers at pick 46 overall in the rookie draft, had an impressive 2015 debut league season.
He showed trademark grit to overcome a severe shoulder injury sustained early in the season and play 13 senior games for Richmond, including its elimination final loss to North Melbourne.
Win the 2016 Tigers Golden Ticket by becoming a Richmond member
“It’s where I wanted to be for a long period of time, and I’ve really enjoyed my time,” Lambert said at Richmond’s 2016 community camp in Albury.
“I’m looking forward to what’s ahead as well . . .
“Just having a year’s experience in a full-time environment, I suppose it’s hard not to improve.”
Lambert’s competitive spirit, and passion for the game, held him in good stead to overcome the disappointments he had to endure along the way, before receiving an AFL opportunity with the Tigers.
“The biggest thing, for me, was always try and get the best out of myself, whatever league that was,” he said.
“I think playing good footy is a by-product of enjoying it. So, no matter where you’re playing, you have to enjoy your footy, and that was the biggest focus I had in the years in the VFL competition.”
Lambert remains well and truly grounded in his footballing aims for 2016 . . .
“I don’t look too far past my next training session. I think if I do go past that, I’ll probably miss an opportunity to learn or develop,” he said.
“My main focus is getting a PB at my next training session, and the selection will take care of itself.”
Miles strives for more improvement
Richmond launches its 2016 NAB Challenge campaign against Fremantle at Mandurah on Friday week (February 19) and Lambert is super-keen to get the competitive juices flowing again . . .
“I suppose, as footballers, we want to go out there and compete . . . we can’t wait to come out against Fremantle in NAB 1,” he said.
“On a personal level, I’m feeling pretty good.”
