Richmond mature-age recruit Kane Lambert is making steady progress from the severe shoulder injury he sustained in his senior league debut for the Tigers against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG in Round 2.
The 23-year-old, who was Richmond’s third pick (No. 46 overall) in the rookie draft late last year, subsequently underwent surgery to repair the AC joint in his shoulder.
He’s worked diligently throughout his rehabilitation and is now close to a playing return.
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“The body’s feeling good. I’ve had quite an intense period of ‘rehab’, but I’m getting closer to playing now, so really looking forward to it,” Lambert told ‘Roar Vision’.
“At the moment the aim is (to play) after the bye. There’s still a few more boxes to tick, but that’s the plan . . .
“There is always a mental challenge when you get injured, especially over the long term. But we’ve got to move on . . . that’s the way footy goes.
“You tick each box and come back bigger and better, faster and stronger.”
Notwithstanding the disappointment of suffering a long-term injury in his debut AFL appearance against the Bulldogs at the MCG, Lambert still has fond memories of the occasion.
“It was an incredible experience and, hopefully, I get that opportunity to run back out there again,” he said.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. Unfortunately, I got injured, but that’s the way footy goes sometimes.
“The build-up in the rooms, getting the jumper, running out in front of 60,000 people, and just feeling the passion of the supporters, was great.
“It’s a beautiful ground, the MCG, and it’s an incredible feeling. It has been a motivator to get back and, hopefully, play some good footy.”
Lambert, however, is keen to keep his playing plans for the rest of the season fairly simple . . .
“I’m not looking too far ahead at the moment,” he said.
“My goal’s just to get back and play good footy . . . what happens from there is out of my control at the moment.
“Obviously to keep my spot, that’d be fantastic, but again, I can’t look too far ahead.
“I’ve just got to get my body right and play some good footy . . . the rest will take care of itself."
