Williamstown’s Kane Lambert’s persistence pays off with an AFL rookie spot with RichmondLuke D’Anello
Hobsons Bay Leader
December 03, 2014 1:19PMKANE Lambert’s long wait for an AFL opportunity is over after Richmond swooped on the star midfielder in Wednesday’s rookie draft.
The 23-year-old said earlier this year that he was “pretty close” to being drafted in 2013 after a stellar season with Northern Blues in the VFL.
Lambert made the move to Williamstown in the off-season after a tug of war for his services, with his switch to Burbank Oval only ratified after mediation between the Seagulls and Blues
Lambert experienced a slow start to the season because of hip surgery last summer and was forced to wait until Round 3 to make his debut for Williamstown.
But he produced a scintillating second half of the campaign, highlighted by a best-on-ground performance against Werribee in the semi-final.
Lambert gathered 32 touches, 17 clearances, 15 inside 50s and booted four goals in a performance described by Williamstown coach Andrew Collins as “one of the best individual games I’ve seen at a state league level”.
The Tigers landed Lambert, who boasts an unquestionable appetite for the ball and the ability to kick an important goal, at pick 46.
Lambert has a bevy of fans who have pushed his case for a chance at the top level, including dual North Melbourne premiership coach Denis Pagan, who coached him at TAC Cup club Northern Knights.
Williamstown football manager Chris Dixon said he was thrilled Lambert had graduated to the AFL ranks.
“He’s just too good a player to be playing VFL,” Dixon said.
“We’re just rapt that he’s actually got the opportunity. It’s hard to think of many people who have worked harder and had that many setbacks along the way.
“We’re rapt as a footy club that we’ve been able to help him over the line.”
Lambert had previously been overlooked four times, but his persistence paid off.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the poorest year he’s had, but his season was certainly nowhere near as good as his 2013 season,” Dixon said.
“Obviously his hip injury hampered him and he missed games along the way, but some of his individual performances in the second half of the year … he just looked a class above and showed that he had got over his hip problem.
“When he’s playing at that level there are not too many VFL players who can match him.”
http://www.news.com.au/national/williamstowns-kane-lamberts-persistence-pays-off-with-an-afl-rookie-spot-with-richmond/story-e6frfkp9-1227143320178
