Richo: Tambling 'haunted' by BuddyJON PIERIK
June 13, 2010RICHMOND great Matthew Richardson says Richard Tambling is ''haunted'' by being drafted ahead of Lance Franklin and has not become the player the Tigers had hoped.
In a bumper 2004 national draft, the indigenous midfielder was taken with the fourth pick - behind teammate Brett Deledio, Hawthorn's Jarryd Roughead and Western Bulldog Ryan Griffen but one spot ahead of Franklin, who has emerged as a Hawthorn superstar.
Tambling's selection has long been a source of consternation among the Tigers faithful.
Under then new coach Terry Wallace and football director Greg Miller, the Tigers had hoped Tambling would become a major plank to help deliver the club's first premiership since 1980.
While he finished fourth in the best and fairest last year and has now played 104 games, Tambling's lack of size compared to fellow midfielders and his inconsistent skills have hurt his career.
A candid Richardson yesterday said Tambling's confidence had taken a beating because of the success Franklin has had.
''The thing for Richard is, he is always going to be haunted by this whole Buddy Franklin scenario, where Buddy was the next pick after him and everyone wants to go on about that,'' Richardson said on 3AW. ''It's definitely hurt Richard, I suspect, definitely his confidence.''
Tambling has long been bracketed with North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Wells - the skilful yet enigmatic No. 2 pick in the 2002 national draft who has long frustrated Kangaroos fans.
''I think Richard is a good player but he probably is not the player, as we are talking about Daniel Wells, he has not become the player everyone wanted him to be when he was drafted at No. 4,'' Richardson said.
''And that's not his fault. He didn't choose to be drafted at No. 4.
''I think he is a good player. I am not saying he is outstanding. He is playing in a team that has lost for the majority of his career.
''It's not easy when you are losing every week. If he went to a team that was winning, he would probably be judged a lot differently right now.''
The Tigers have not featured in the finals since 2001 and have won only 41 of 122 games since Tambling joined.
This year they have just the one win - against Port Adelaide in round 10 - heading into today's clash with West Coast at the MCG.
The Tigers have recalled Daniel Jackson and Daniel Connors, the latter having served an eight-match club-imposed ban for an alcohol-fuelled incident in Sydney after the round-three clash against the Swans.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richo-tambling-haunted-by-buddy-20100612-y4q0.html
