Tambling ready to fulfil his potentialadelaidefc.com.au
By Jason Phelan
Mon 01 Nov, 2010ADELAIDE recruit Richard Tambling is ready to kick start his stalled career after moving from Richmond to the Crows during this year's trade period.
Adelaide sent its compensation pick for losing Nathan Bock to Gold Coast and a third-round selection to the Tigers in return for Tambling's signature with the former No.4 pick at the 2004 NAB AFL Draft confident he can finally live up to his potential.
"A lot of things changed during my first few years at Richmond and I wasn't able to [do]... what I got drafted for," Tambling said on Monday. "I think by coming to Adelaide, that opportunity gets given back to me.
"In six years I still didn't have a position nailed down at Richmond. I was still floating through positions whether it was forward back or midfield and I don't think I got a lot out of my development.
"A lot of people tell me I have potential and I don't believe I've scraped the [surface], so I think a fresh start was needed.
"I was lucky enough that Adelaide provided that. I'm happy to be here and looking forward to it."
Tambling played 108 games at Punt Road and had signed a new deal to stay there, but came to the realisation that a new club and a new city was required for him to get the best out of himself.
The 24-year-old liked what he saw at Adelaide during a week-long assessment that left him confident he could leave a turbulent career in yellow and black behind him.
"I needed a new club with new ways of coaching and new ways of development, so I told Richmond that I wanted to leave and Adelaide seemed a fitting [place]," he said.
"All the talk about being a high draft pick and not reaching my potential - Melbourne is so on top of you and I found that very hard. I sought help for that and now with a fresh start I think I can move on and leave that behind. I can do the best that I can do and that's all I can give everyone out there.
"I was getting down on myself [early in my career] and it was impacting my family life. I had a young child by that stage and it was affecting me outside of my footy life and in return that affected my on-field performances as well because I was always doubting myself and doubting the way that I played.
"I believe all I can control now is the way I go about my footy and the way I play. I've just got to control the controllables; that's all I can do."
By severing ties with the Tigers and departing Melbourne, Tambling also hopes to finally put an end to the endless comparisons with Hawthorn star Lance Franklin who was taken by the Hawks with pick No.5 in the same draft.
"The first few years that did weigh heavily," Tambling said. "It was always Tambling versus Franklin. It did play heavily [on my mind] because the Richmond faithful were always ... one bad kick and they were on your back again and the whole world jumped back on there and it was difficult.
"I sought help for that and I didn't actually think it was bothering me at the start but as soon as I got talking to a psych it all came out and it actually was affecting me and my footy."
The Crows coveted Tambling's speed and decision making coming out of the back half in making a move for him and he sees himself helping to try and cover the losses of retired stars Simon Goodwin and Andrew McLeod who played those roles with distinction.
Tambling will need to wait at least a month before he can impress his new teammates on the track after undergoing groin release surgery and operations on both hips.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/104792/default.aspx
