VFL 2018:
the son of a former Richmond star to debut for Tigers’ VFL teamGreater Dandenong Leader
25 Aug 2018HE’S the son of a Tiger gun. And tomorrow he’ll follow his father into Richmond colours.
Bailey Lambert, 19, will make his debut for the Richmond VFL team in the final-round match against Frankston after gaining selection as the 23rd player.
The son of 1991 Richmond best and fairest Craig Lambert has waited patiently for his chance at state-league level since relocating from Brisbane and joining the VFL Tigers this year.
A midfielder with a liking for a goal, Lambert has spent the season at Noble Park, earning an Eastern league Young Guns nomination.
Noble coach Mick Fogarty said the right-footer had been in “particularly strong’’ form in the past six weeks and was ready to take his chance.
“He’s been a pleasure to have at our footy club this year. He brings enthusiasm, energy and he’s a terrific young man,’’ he said.
“He’s been patient but now he’ll go up against the Frankston Dolphins and I hope he does well.’’
Fogarty said Lambert — who played for Redland in the NEAFL last season — was a “tough inside mid who wins his own footy but can also get it on the outside and use it well’’.
“For his size he’s also a really good mark. He can take a strong contested mark, and he likes to kick a goal. He’s got the attributes to take his footy a long way.’’
He said it was to be admired that Lambert had left his close-knit family and moved to Melbourne to pursue his football.
As a Richmond supporter, Fogarty appreciates the father-son link.
He not only coaches Bailey, he played Under 19 football at South Melbourne with Craig Lambert, who went on to play 123 games for Richmond from 1988-1993, winning the 1991 best and fairest.
Transferring to Brisbane, he played another 96 AFL matches, taking the best and fairest in 1994 and earning All Australian plaudits in 1996.
Craig and Melissa Lambert will be at Frankston to watch their son debut.
Richmond needs to defeat the Dollies to lock up a top-two finish.
And if that’s accomplished there is a chance the Tigers will kick off the finals with a Saturday qualifying final under lights at Punt Rd.
Channel 7 will broadcast a qualifying final, giving the VFL prime time exposure on the weekend of the AFL bye.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/vfl-2018-the-son-of-a-former-richmond-star-to-debut-for-tigers-vfl-team/news-story/69d46f02a942db4d2d75d2a100fcb9bd
