Tambling lauds maturity
By Matt Brown
Mon 14 July, 2008
RICHMOND midfielder Richard Tambling says the Tigers had shown great maturity and strength of character to play so well against the West Coast in the emotional wake of the Graham Polak accident.
The Tigers destroyed the West Coast with an outstanding 11 goals to one second quarter on their way to a record 77 point victory – only the second time Richmond had beaten the Eagles at Subiaco.
Tambling said it had been a difficult fortnight for the Tigers since Polak’s accident but the players was determined not to let their mate down.
“It’s obviously united everyone and we feel pretty strongly for Polly,” Tambling said.
“And we also had Matty Richardson who has done so much for the club sitting back watching at home as well.
“So when we went out of the ground before the game we just said let’s do it for these fellas who want to be out here but can’t be.
“It really brought us closer together and I think that showed in the way we attacked the ball and worked together today.
“We got an even contribution through the whole 22, everyone stood up and played their part and as a result we came out on top.”
Tambling said the Tigers also had a point to prove after their disappointing round 14 loss to Carlton.
“Obviously losing the contested footy against Carlton a couple of weeks back we wanted to come out today and win the contested footy,” he said.
“The boys put their heads over the footy and really attacked it. We really hunted the footy and when you do that you put the opposition under enormous pressure.”
Tambling said forward Jack Riewoldt (5 goals) and makeshift defender Jay Schulz had probably played their best games for the club to help cover the absence of Richardson and Polak.
“As soon as Jacky Riewoldt gets a couple on the board his confidence boost is amazing and he’s just the loudest bloke out there,” Tambling said.
“If he gets his confidence up, he’ll take big marks all day. Jack’s all about ‘team’. He’s always up and about, he’s always talking. He’s always trying to get everyone up.
“Jay was on fire early up front before he got switched to defence. He really controlled the aerial duels and if he didn’t mark he was just so valuable in bringing the ball to the ground.
“We’re such a strong running side that as soon as the ball hit the ground, it was swept out of there and we really punished them on the rebound.”
Tambling refused to be drawn on the Tigers’ finals hopes and said the team was thinking no further ahead than next Saturday’s game against Essendon.
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