Tambling signs AFL deal with Tigers
June 19, 2007 - 6:19PM
The Age
Exciting Richmond utility Richard Tambling seems forever destined to draw comparisons with fellow class of 2004 draftee Lance Franklin.
But Tigers coach Terry Wallace believes the constant second-guessing about whether Richmond made the right call when it chose Tambling with pick No.4 is unfair.
The club has announced Tambling has a signed a three-year contract extension, which will keep him at Punt Road until at least the end of 2010.
While Franklin, who the Hawks took with the No.5 selection, has lit it up this year and sits fourth in the race for the Coleman Medal with 34 goals, Wallace said the pair was only a small way in to what was a "long, long, long journey".
"I know it's everyone else's job to sit there and compare ... all we do is we look at our lot and we're pleased with the progression that they are making at this point in time," Wallace said.
"I still don't know, have we got an outcome on Travis Johnstone and Brad Ottens yet?" he added, referring to 1997 draft where Johnstone was taken No.1 and Ottens No.2.
Tambling has played all but one of Richmond's 11 matches this year for a career total of 43 games and said he remained unaffected by all the talk comparing him to the key-position Franklin.
"Try to put it behind you and try and focus on playing footy and that's all you can control, the way you perform and they way you go about it," Tambling said.
"You've seen glimpses of it (my best) now and then, but I'm working towards my best and hopefully very soon I can get to that."
Listed at 180cm and 80kg, the 20-year-old Tambling hoped to put on more weight and muscle so he can hold down a spot in the midfield.
"I've been given chances this year to play in the midfield and just the bigger body types. I've got to put on a bit of bulk still and try and push my way in there," Tambling said.
"I've just got to work on backing myself and using my teammates and understanding my role in the team."
Wallace said Tambling had improved each season and the club was "really pleased" with his progress.
"He's added goals to his game this year, you're looking for blokes who kick over 25 goals a season and he's sort of marching towards that total this year and he's become an integral part of our side," Wallace said.
"As the body grows and develops I think his role around the football club will grow and develop."
Wallace said Tambling was also fast becoming one of the Tigers' future leaders.
"You don't sign blokes on longer term contracts unless you reckon they are absolutely solid people that you want to have around your playing group," Wallace said.
"From the day that we first met Richard, that's exactly what he's been."
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