First-year Tiger Kane Lambert is relishing his belated chance at AFL level after producing his best game of the season in Sunday’s 16-point win against St Kilda.
Lambert collected 19 disposals and kicked an important goal during Richmond’s 10th victory of the season.
The mature-age recruit entered the AFL system later than most draftees and, at 23, says he is making up for lost time.
“Dimma (Richmond coach Damien Hardwick) showed a lot of faith in me, playing me in Round 2,” Lambert told Crocmedia.
"It was unfortunate to get injured (he suffered a severe shoulder during his debut against the Western Bulldogs), but that’s footy.
"But to come back and play one game in the VFL, before coming straight back in, is something I’m very fortunate for and I’m very grateful. So I’m just determined to repay him for that faith in me.”
Lambert was overlooked in several AFL drafts despite excelling at junior level with the Northern Knights and then with VFL teams the Northern Blues and Williamstown.
Despite fearing he may never be drafted, Lambert said he was calm before last year’s draft period.
“It was probably the most relaxed I’d ever been going into a draft,” he said.
“I wasn’t expecting anything and I was really just watching and hoping that a couple of mates might get picked up.
“I ended up going with pick 46 (in the rookie draft) and about 10 minutes after that finished I got a call saying they wanted me on a plane to Townsville at 5.30 that night, so it was quite surreal the way it all happened.
“About 6am the next morning I was doing the hard yards next to Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt in Townsville, so it was a pretty crazy 24 hours.”
Richmond has a crucial clash with ladder leader Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday. If the Tigers win, it could propel them into the top four.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Lambert said.
“Fremantle are a quality side and very disciplined, so hopefully we can play like we did last time against them.
“It’s going to be Troy Chaplin’s 200th and hopefully it’s a big crowd down at the ‘G on Saturday afternoon.”
