Kane Lambert is no stranger to delivering inspirational last-quarter performances on football’s big stage.

Back in 2014, Lambert almost single-handedly lifted VFL team Williamstown over the line in a semi-final against Werribee.

Williamstown trailed by 32 points at three-quarter time, but a brilliant final-term display from Lambert ignited a mighty comeback by the Seagulls, culminating in a 26-point win.

Lambert kicked three of Williamstown’s nine last-quarter goals that day, to finish with four for the match, among his 32 disposals all-up (including 17 clearances and 15 inside-50s).

Just over 18 months later, Lambert has produced another outstanding last quarter of football to provide the spark for his team’s come-from-behind victory.

This time it was at Richmond, before a huge crowd of 75,706, in the 2016 season-opener against Carlton at the MCG.

In just his 14^th game of AFL football, the tough, determined, hard-running midfielder was superb throughout the final term, racking up 12 disposals, and providing the spark for a Tigers’ fightback, which saw them turn a nine-point deficit at the last change into a nine-point win.

Lambert finished with an AFL career-high 28 disposals (the most by a Richmond player in the match). He had a team-high 436 metres gained, an equal game-high seven tackles, and kicked the first goal of season 2016.

It was a breakout performance by Lambert at the game’s highest level, and further highlighted the resilience that has been the cornerstone of his football career.

He has overcome a series of obstacles along the way, including being overlooked in several AFL drafts, and then sustaining a severe shoulder injury in his Round 2 debut appearance with Richmond last year.

Now, however, he is super-fit and well prepared to establish himself as an important member of the Tigers’ midfield.

“I worked on my fitness over the pre-season.  I thought last season I was a little bit light as well, with the shoulder injury, so I put on a little bit of size,” Lambert told Channel Seven in a post-game interview.

“But also, with the rotations being capped, I knew I had to take my running to another level . . .

“Fortunately enough, late in the game, I was able to use that to my advantage.”

In typical style, Lambert is keeping everything in perspective . . .

“It’s an absolute privilege to put on a Richmond jumper every week, and every chance I get I try and make the most of it,” Lambert said.

“I’m really enjoying my footy and looking forward to what’s ahead.”