Tambling finally receives call
The Australian
April 30, 2005
GUN Richmond recruit Richard Tambling wasn't exactly sitting by the phone waiting on the news that would kick off his senior AFL career.
In fact, Tambling thought he might have been in trouble after missing a few calls earlier this week from coach Terry Wallace.
Instead it was the news Tigers fans and Tambling had been waiting on for the past five rounds -- that the explosive Northern Territory midfielder would finally make his senior debut after overcoming a series of injuries.
He and another of Richmond's four first-round draft picks, Danny Meyer, will turn out for the first time against Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome tomorrow.
"I just can't wait to get out there on Sunday and hopefully get a crack on the field," said Tambling, who was the Tigers' second selection at No.4 in last year's national draft. "I've been waiting for a long time just to play footy down here."
Richmond's first pick, No.1 Brett Deledio, is already impressing in the senior ranks.
Tambling, 18, created a stir with an exciting performance during Richmond's narrow Wizard Cup loss to Collingwood.
Showing lightning pace and silky ball-gathering abilities, he kicked two goals, including one bomb from 55 metres.
But a series of injuries, including back, toe and hamstring problems, stalled his much-anticipated debut.
"I'm feeling 100 per cent, it's feeling good," he said, after returning from injury for the Tigers' VFL affiliate, Coburg, on Monday.
"It's been very frustrating being on the sideline and watching the rest of the boys from the 2004 draft come out and play good footy and kick a few goals."
A relaxed Tambling said he felt more excitement than pressure and said he was flying his grandmother down from Darwin for the match.
He was happy to be sharing the spotlight with his good mate Meyer, the pair both Bombers fans as juniors.
Also 18 and weighing only 70kg, the baby-faced South Australian has been an emergency for the past three weeks and was relieved to finally get a start.
"Terry called me on Wednesday night and I was rapt," Meyer said.
"He asked me how I thought my form was and I said pretty consistent and he agreed, so I got the call-up."
But Meyer, who hoped to spend some time across half-forward or in the midfield, said he was happy for Tambling and Deledio to grab most of the attention.
"I love that - I don't really like the media attention too much," he said.
"I'm really good mates with Richie, so it's great that we're making our debut together and hopefully we can go out there and have really good games."
AAP
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15128007%255E36035,00.html
