'Bromance' between Adam Marcon and Kane Lambert reignited at RichmondBrent Diamond
The Age
29 November 2015It could almost be deemed a fairytale bromance, but the story of new Richmond rookie Adam Marcon and first-year Tiger Kane Lambert ending up at the same club is "not something you would even dream about", says Lambert.
The two mature-age recruits have been side-by-side, since playing alongside each other at Preston in their junior footy and cricket days.
They have both endured a journey of persistence and determination – unwithered by the prospect of missing out – but with the purpose to succeed at the sport they love.
"They're brothers from a different mother, their friendship is something that have driven each other to the best they can," Williamstown premiership coach Andy Collins said.
"It's a special relationship of great mates that have really pushed each other to be as good as they can. That story should have some great chapters to write for the Richmond footy club."
For Marcon, after three years at the Northern Blues – one of which was a career-best season, finishing with the Coaches Award on Liston Trophy night – the decision to cross to Williamstown, where he would spend more time in the midfield and in the eyes of AFL recruiters in 2014, was a defining moment.
Lambert made the same call – crossing from the Carlton affiliate, where the Preston flavour was beginning to fade – to the stand-alone Seagulls for the sake of his dream. They were both born and bred Preston, played for the Northern Knights under then coach Denis Pagan – who is an unabashed fan of the duo – and VFL feeder team, the previously named Northern Bullants. Ultimately, they had both become Fothergill-Round Medallists for the best Under 23 player in the VFL; an award that has become a guide to mature age recruits given past recipients include Fremantle's Michael Barlow, Sydney's Dean Towers and North's Robin Nahas.
Marcon's father Adrian, who introduced his son to the sport after migrating from Italy, was a cult figure at the Bullants, winning two VFA flags in the 1980s.
It was a controversial call for Marcon and Lambert to cross clubs, as the Seagulls were heavily under fire from the Blues hierarchy for poaching their star on-ballers.
"It wasn't a decision which was made lightly … we had plenty of discussion but we just thought Williamstown would be a good fit for us and things worked out the way we wanted them to," Lambert said.
"We have no regrets of what happened."
Collins believes "the ability to play your best position week-in and week-out at a stand-alone team is really advantageous to being drafted."
Ironically, Carlton plucked Williamstown premiership goalsneak Andrew Galluci as a rookie, perhaps recognising the stand-alone team as a top breeder of young talent. There were many other premiership Seagulls, who could have joined them on Friday; Mitch Banner, Michael Gibbons, Jack Johnstone and Jack Charleston to name a few.
Marcon, a PE teacher at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, was teaching a class when his name was called out by the Tigers with the No.47 pick. Lambert was quick to congratulate him – but it was a good time for himself to reflect on how far he has come after being upgraded to Richmond's senior list after playing in an AFL elimination final.
"I suppose there were times where you thought your time was up and maybe you weren't going to get the opportunity, but whatever level we were playing, we wanted to play the best footy we could," Lambert said.
"We're just lucky that Richmond have seen something in us and we have the opportunity now," he said.
"The reality is I've got to get better and hopefully we can improve on our season ahead."
He reckons it won't be long for Marcon – who averaged 22 disposals and seven tackles a game for the Seagulls this season – to show his full potential.
"He's always had a professional attitude with the way he goes about his footy. He did all the work post hours. It's going to be interesting to see what he can do in a full-time environment."
And he will have his familiar side-kick with him doing laps and drills once again, as he did when he was at Cramer Street Oval.
"That's the way it's sort of been over the last few years. With a year under my belt, I'll be able to help him out and tell him what to expect but he'll find his feet quickly," he said.
Collins, who has recently re-signed for a further two seasons as Williamstown coach, said Marcon's development over the past 12 months has been outstanding.
"To learn new skills, not only offensive, but defensive skills, he ran with some great players this year," he said.
The Tigers also recognised Marcon's intensity and smart use of the ball.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-bromance-between-adam-marcon-and-kane-lambert-reignited-at-richmond-20151128-glacmb.html
