Experienced Richmond midfielder Shaun Grigg has strongly endorsed the Tigers’ mature-age recruit Kane Lambert, who will make his senior league debut in tomorrow’s Round 2 match against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

Lambert, 23, missed out on club selection at a succession of AFL drafts, before Richmond took him at pick 46 overall in the rookie draft late last year.

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He was promoted to the Tigers’ primary playing list on the eve of the season and now will line up for his first AFL game, following a highly-impressive career at VFL level with both the Northern Blues and Williamstown.

“I’m rapt for Kane . . . he’s done it the hard way.  It’s been five or six years in the making for Kane,” Grigg said on RSN.

“He’s just a natural footballer, really.  He’s come into the pre-season, done all the work, been really impressive, hasn’t looked out of place. 

“He’ll play around the midfield, maybe even the forward line. 

“He’s a good user of the ball and smart around the goals, so hopefully he can chip in for us and kick a couple of goals . . .”