Kane Lambert ensured Richmond’s engine-room kept functioning efficiently despite the absence of injured midfield stars Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia and Shane Edwards in last Sunday’s clash with Sydney at the Gabba.
A week after celebrating his 100th AFL game milestone with a best-on-ground performance against Melbourne, Lambert produced another top-class display in the Tigers’ eight-point victory over the Swans.
The dual premiership Tiger had 22 disposals, including six inside-50s, three rebound-50s, four score involvements, three intercepts, an equal game-high six tackles and took seven marks.
Rival coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and John Longmire (Sydney) rewarded him with five votes in the 2020 AFL Coaches’ Association’s Champion Player Award for Round 6.
Rebounding Richmond small defender Jayden Short received four votes after finishing the match with a team-high 26 disposals, three rebound-50s, three inside-50s, five intercepts, five score involvements, nine marks and a team-high 542 metres gained.
Fellow Tiger defender Nick Vlastuin, who had 16 disposals, with a team-high 10 intercepts and five marks, picked up three votes, as did recalled midfielder Jack Graham, who had 16 disposals, including a game-high seven inside-50s, game-high six score involvements, an equal game-high six tackles, four marks and 404 metres gained.
Rounding out the Richmond Round 6 vote-getters in the prestigious coaches’ award was Kamdyn McIntosh. He was given two votes for his valuable contribution to the Tigers’ win – 24 disposals, seven intercepts, five marks and 540 metres gained.
The full voting details for the Round 6 Richmond v Sydney match are:
10 – Callum Mills (Sydney)
5 – Kane Lambert (Richmond)
4 – Jayden Short (Richmond)
3 – Jack Graham (Richmond)
3 – Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)
3 – Robbie Fox (Sydney)
2 – Kamdyn McIntosh (Richmond)
