Kane Lambert

Kane Lambert
Lambert with Richmond in June 2017
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-11-26) 26 November 1991
Original team(s) Williamstown (VFL)
Northern Knights (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 46, 2015 rookie draft
Debut Round 2, 2015, Richmond
vs. Western Bulldogs, at MCG
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 77 kg (170 lb)
Position(s) Midfield
Club information
Current club Richmond
Number 23
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2015– Richmond 71 (43)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 20, 2018.
Career highlights

AFL

VFL

Junior

Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Kane Lambert (born 26 November 1991) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was a premiership player with the club in 2017 and placed third in the club's best and fairest award that year.

Junior and state-league football

Lambert grew up in Preston, a suburb nine kilometres north of Melbourne.[1]

He played local junior football with the Preston Bullants Junior Football club before playing in representative sides with the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup where he was coached by former AFL premiership coach Denis Pagan.[2][3] In 2009 Lambert won the club's best and fairest award for a season in which he held averages of 25 disposals, five clearances, five tackles and a goal a game.[4][5] He was overlooked in the AFL national, pre-season and rookie drafts following the 2009 season and subsequently ceased playing football in his first year out of school.[6] He instead spent the year working full-time in a can factory while completing what he later called "a 12-month pre-season" in which he added 10 kg to his slender frame.[1]

Lambert made a return to the sport in 2011, playing at state-league level with the Northern Bullants in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[7] He remained at the club through a name change in 2012 when he was selected in a team of the VFL's best players that would represent Victoria in a state-league exhibition match.[7][8] 2013 proved a break-out year for Lambert, having been again named to represent the state-league during a season in which he kicked 21 goals and held an average of 26 disposals per game.[9][10] As a result, he earned a fourth-placed finish in the J. J. Liston Trophy for the league's best and fairest player, doing so with a total of 16 votes and finishing just one vote behind the eventual three joint-winners.[11] He was also awarded the Fothergill-Round Medal as the competition's most promising young player and was named on the wing in the VFL's official Team of the Year.[12] In addition, Lambert placed fifth in the VFL Coach's Award and received the Laurie Hill Trophy as his club's best and fairest player.[12][7] He was later invited to that year's national draft combine where he recorded a 13.11 beep test score.[12][9] Despite his strong season, he again went undrafted to the AFL.[7]

Lambert moved VFL clubs in 2014, crossing to the Williamstown Football Club in a poaching move that saw Williamstown attract criticism by the governing body, AFL Victoria.[13][14] His season began slowly, with hip arthroscopic surgery limiting his off-season progress and making him wait until round 3 to play his first match for the club.[15] During the year he played a contributing role in the club's Foxtel Cup premiership victory over West Perth.[16] In the finals series Lambert turned in an incredible performance in his side's semi-final victory over Werribee, where he recorded 32 disposals, 17 clearances, 15 inside 50s and four goals.[17] He kicked three of those goals in the match's final quarter as part of nine straight unanswered goals by Williamstown.[18] An outstanding back-half of the season including that final saw Lambert again in AFL draft contention, but again missing out on selection in the national and pre-season drafts.[7][18]

AFL career

At age 23, Lambert was drafted to the Australian Football League by Richmond with the club's third selection and the 46th pick overall in the 2015 rookie draft in December 2014.[19]

He made his first appearance for Richmond in the club's opening match of the pre-season competition.[20] A further two matches in the pre-season would follow before Lambert was upgraded to the club's senior list ahead of the season's opening match.[21][22] Lambert narrowly avoided senior selection in round 1, named only as an emergency for that match with Carlton.[23] His AFL debut would come the following week in a match against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.[24] Lambert was substituted out of the match in the third quarter after sustaining a serious shoulder injury.[25] The damage was later diagnosed as a separated shoulder and would require surgery to repair, seeing Lambert sidelined for an estimated six to eight weeks.[26] He made his return to football with the club's reserves side in the VFL in late June.[27] Despite playing only limited game time due to his ongoing recovery, Lambert still recorded 28 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.[27] He earned an AFL-level recall the following week, in round 13's victory over Sydney.[28] A further seven straight matches with the senior side followed before Lambert turned in a two-goal, 27 disposal performance against the Gold Coast in round 20 that saw him named in the club's best players that day.[29][30] He went on to play in each of the clubs final four matches of the year, including a losing elimination final against North Melbourne.[31] At season's end he placed seventh in the AFL Players Association's best first year player award.[32] He had played 13 matches and kicked eight goals at senior level that year.[31]

Lambert handballs during play in round 2, 2017

Ahead of the 2016 season Lambert was upgraded permanently to Richmond's senior list and made a switch in guernsey numbers from 48 to 23.[33][34] He opened the pre-season and the season-proper with Richmond's best-22, playing a starring role with a team-high 28 disposals, game-high seven tackles and a goal in round 1's season-opening victory over Carlton.[35][36] For that performance he received the maximum ten votes in the Coaches Association player of the year award and earned recognition from television broadcaster the Seven Network as the player of the game.[37][38] Lambert followed that match with two goals against Collingwood in round 2, before kicking goals in each of the two matches after that.[31] In round 6 Lambert suffered a fractured rib and punctured lung.[39][40] He missed just two matches as a result of the injury and made his return in round 9's win over Fremantle.[31] A further five matches at AFL-level would follow before Lambert was omitted from the senior side ahead of round 16.[41][42] After two weeks of VFL football Lambert earned his way back into senior selection for a single match in round 19 before being again omitted the following week.[43][44] A final two matches at senior level came in round 22 and 23 with Lambert finishing the year having played 15 AFL matches.[31]

Despite finishing the year previous at AFL level, Lambert would start 2017 by earning selection in only one of a possible three matches pre-season matches before starting the home and away season with the club's reserves side in the VFL.[45][46][47][48] He earned an early chance at senior level in round 2, recalled for the club's 19-point victory over Collingwood.[49] Lambert made an impact the following week when he was given a tagging role on West Coast midfielder Sam Mitchell for the final three quarters of the match.[50][51] He limited Mitchell to just 13 possessions from that point forward, after the former-Brownlow Medalist had registered 12 in the match's opening term.[52] Lambert continued to contribute at AFL level over the following two months, reaching the season's midpoint with what would be a career-best average of 18.8 disposals per game.[53] In round 12, the final match of that stretch, he earned a coaches award vote and a mention by The Age as one of Richmond's best for his performance in a win over North Melbourne.[54][55] Lambert was again in the bests in round 14, this time named as such by AFL Media for a 26 disposal, six tackle and one-goal effort against Carlton.[56] The following week he registered career bests in disposals (33) and tackles (10), as well as his first career Brownlow Medal votes in Richmond's road victory over Port Adelaide.[57][31][58] In round 20 Lambert was best on ground and received the maximum 10 coaches association award votes for his 30 disposal, eight inside-50 performance against Hawthorn.[59][60] He earned another mention in the bests the following week in round 21 before kicking a career-best three goals in Richnond's 104-point demolition of Fremantle in round 22.[61][31][62] He played his 50th career match at the start of the finals series, in Richmond's qualifying final victory over Geelong.[63] The following week he kicked a goal as his side defeated Greater Western Sydney in a preliminary final and won its way through to its first grand final in 35 years.[64] Lambert was in some doubt to be fit for the match though, after sustaining a minor ankle injury in the earlier game.[65] He had managed to play out the end of the preliminary final however and ultimately earned selection in the grand final that followed.[66] There he became a premiership player, kicking a goal and adding 22 disposals in the club's first premiership since 1980.[67] At the conclusion of the season and finals series Lambert was named at number 50 in Herald Sun chief football reporter Mark Robinson's list of the league's best players in 2017.[68] He finished the year ranked fifth in the competition for total goal assists as well as second at the club for goal assists and tackles and fourth for inside 50s.[69][70] Lambert also placed third in the club's best and fairest award, earning the Maurie Fleming Medal for his outstanding season.[71][72]

In the weeks following his side's premiership win in 2017, Lambert underwent minor knee surgery.[73] It would not reduce his training time however, with a return to training occurring on schedule with the rest of the squad in late November 2017.[74] At season's end he was one of three Richmond players nominated for the AFL Players Association's Most Valuable Player award.[75] Lambert is contracted to Richmond until the end of the 2019 season.[76]

Following the conclusion of the 2018 finals series, Lambert was named by the Herald Sun's chief football writer Mark Robinson as the league's 32nd best player during the 2018 season.[77]

AFL statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of round 20, 2018[31]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team No. Games G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
Totals Averages (per game)
2015 Richmond 4813871148920344320.60.58.86.815.63.42.5
2016 Richmond 23157101229922148540.50.78.16.614.73.23.6
2017 Richmond 23241313252263515861100.50.510.511.021.53.64.6
2018 Richmond 2319151017824842670590.80.59.413.122.43.73.1
Career 71 43 40 666 699 1365 248 255 0.6 0.6 9.4 9.8 19.2 3.5 3.6

Personal life

Lambert is lifelong friends with former Richmond player Adam Marcon. The pair played together at junior level, at the Northern Knights, the Northern Blues, Williamstown and at Richmond.[78][79]

References

  1. 1 2 Hanlon, Peter (12 September 2015). "Kane Lambert took an unconventional road to Tigerland". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  2. ↑ Michell, Tim (1 December 2016). "Ben McNiece becomes fourth Preston Bullants junior to graduate to AFL ranks after earning rookie chance with Essendon". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Preston Leader. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  3. ↑ Amy, Paul (19 November 2013). "Academy coach predicts up to 10 VFL players will take the next step into AFL". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Leader. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  4. ↑ Prendergast, Josh (3 December 2014). "Former Knights Best & Fairest Rookied by Richmond". Northern Knights FC. SportsTG. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  5. ↑ Ralph, Jon (27 April 2018). "Kane Lambert is the type of player Carlton needs but the Blues could have had him". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  6. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (5 December 2014). "Richmond rookie Kane Lambert liked to Anthony Miles and Anthony Stevens". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Matthew Lodge (4 December 2014). "Northern Blues congratulate Kane Lambert". Northern Blues Football Club. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (29 July 2011). "Northern Bullants in with the Blues". Preston Leader. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  9. 1 2 "2013 draft prospect: Kane Lambert". AFL Media. Telstra Media. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  10. ↑ Mason, Luke (1 May 2013). "Riddle named in state squad". Collingwood FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  11. ↑ Amy, Paul (3 September 2013). "The VFL's Liston Trophy count has ended in a dramatic three-way tie". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Dandenong Leader. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 Lodge, Matthew (3 September 2013). "Lambert recognised for brilliant season". Carlton FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  13. ↑ "Want to know how your VFL team will fare in 2014? We have you covered". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Leader. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  14. ↑ Diamond, Brent (24 December 2013). "Stand-alone VFL clubs want increase in salary cap". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  15. ↑ D'Anello, Luke (22 July 2014). "Kane Lambert happy as a Williamstown Seagull". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Hobsons Bay Leader. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  16. ↑ D'Anello, Luke (23 July 2014). "Superb Williamstown Seagulls power to victory in Foxtel Cup grand final". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Hobson's Bay Leader. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  17. ↑ Amy, Paul (17 November 2014). "The VFL's best young players are hopeful of winning a spot on an AFL list at the National Draft — we tell you who has the best chance". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Dandenong Leader. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Lambert in luck at last". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  19. ↑ "2014 Rookie Draft, pick 46: Kane Lambert". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  20. ↑ "Tiger cubs get their chance". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  21. ↑ "Tigers promote rookie Lambert". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  22. ↑ Cherny, Daniel (23 March 2015). "Richmond recruit Kane Lambert eyes round one debut after being elevated from rookie list". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  23. ↑ Baldwin, Adam (1 April 2015). "Carlton v Richmond teams: Kamdyn McIntosh, Clem Smith to debut". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  24. ↑ Waterworth, Ben (9 April 2015). "2015 AFL season: Full Round 2 teams, Jono O'Rourke to debut for Hawthorn". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  25. ↑ Edwards, Nat (11 April 2015). "Dogs run over Tigers for second win in a row". Western Bulldogs FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  26. ↑ Cowie, Tom (14 April 2015). "Richmond's Ricky Petterd, Kane Lambert sidelined through injury". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  27. 1 2 Durkin, Catherin (20 June 2015). "Competitive Tigers fall short in VFL thriller". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  28. ↑ "Round 13, 2015, Sydney vs. Richmond". AFL Tables. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  29. ↑ Collins, Ben (16 August 2015). "Tigers roar home over struggling Suns". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  30. ↑ "Round 20 2015, Richmond vs Gold Coast". AFL Tables. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Kane Lambert statistics". AFL Tables. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  32. ↑ "SYDNEY SWANS YOUNGSTER ISAAC HEENEY VOTED TOP OF CLASS". AFL Players. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  33. ↑ Cherny, Daniel (29 February 2016). "Young Tiger Connor Menadue primed for senior spot, says Kane Lambert". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  34. ↑ "Tiger player number changes". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  35. ↑ Malcolm, Alex (19 February 2016). "Old Dockers Pav, Barlow and Sandi shine against young Tigers". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  36. ↑ Twomey, Callum (24 March 2016). "Tigers surge late to blunt brave Blues". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  37. ↑ Greenberg, Tony (25 March 2016). "Lambert a last-quarter specialist". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  38. ↑ "Jenkins top Crow in coaches votes". Adelaide FC. Telstra Media. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  39. ↑ Sam Edmund and Jon Ralph (1 May 2016). "Trent Cotchin to miss two weeks with fractured cheekbone, no return date for Chris Yarran". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  40. ↑ Pierik, Jon (2 May 2016). "AFL 2016: Richmond Tigers concede they are 'paying the price' for list strategy". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  41. ↑ Mann, Brenton (11 July 2016). "VFL Tigers fall to Footscray". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  42. ↑ "AFL Teams Round 16: All of the ins and outs this weekend". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  43. ↑ "Marcon to debut". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  44. ↑ "AFL Teams Round 20: All of the ins and outs this weekend, full team lists for every club". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  45. ↑ Guthrie, Ben (22 February 2017). "JLT: Tigers to unleash new mids, forgotten Crows in". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  46. ↑ "Rance returns as Tigers name strong squad". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  47. ↑ Browne, Ashley (9 March 2017). "TEAMS: Big guns return for Pies, Tigers". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  48. ↑ "Tigers name new foursome". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  49. ↑ Ramsey, Michael (29 March 2017). "Tigers target Collingwood goalsneak Fasolo". The West Australian. Seven West Media. AAP. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  50. ↑ Pierik, Jon (8 April 2017). "Richmond Tigers v West Coast Eagles: Tigers stamp themselves as finals contenders". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  51. ↑ Bowen, Nick (8 April 2017). "Tigers down Eagles in the wet". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. AFL Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  52. ↑ McGowan, Mark (9 April 2017). "Lambert's key role in Round 3 win". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. AFL Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  53. ↑ Greenberg, Tony (7 June 2017). "Kane ably assisting Tigers". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  54. ↑ Greenberg, Tony (6 June 2017). "Marvellous Martin". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  55. ↑ Connolly, Rohan (3 June 2017). "North Melbourne vs Richmond: Tigers feast on sloppy Roos". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  56. ↑ Twomey, Callum (25 June 2017). "Tigers outlast Carlton to seal crucial win". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. AFL Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  57. ↑ "Richmond moves into top-four with upset win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval". The West Australian. Seven West Media. AAP. 2 July 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  58. ↑ Gaskin, Lee (2 July 2017). "Understated Tigers' mature rookie comes of age". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  59. ↑ "AFLCA votes, round 20: Superstar Dog barks back". AFL Media. Telstra Media. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  60. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (6 August 2017). "Match report: Tigers close on top-four finish". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  61. ↑ Pierik, Jon (12 August 2017). "Back in the fold, Steven Motlop inspires Geelong Cats to win over Richmond Tigers". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  62. ↑ Roger Vaughan, Justin Chadwick and Jason Phelan (21 August 2017). "Final flourish too little, too late for Saints". InDaily. AAP. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  63. ↑ Cavanagh, Chris (26 August 2017). "Richmond midfielder Kane Lambert firing for Tigers after thinking his AFL dream had passed him by". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  64. ↑ Hope, Shayne (23 September 2017). "Yellow and black! Richmond off to the grand final after prelim win over GWS". The West Australian. Seven West Media. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  65. ↑ Cherny, Daniel (29 September 2017). "Kane Lambert and Hugh Greenwood say fitness no concern ahead of AFL grand final". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  66. ↑ Navaratnam, Dinny (26 September 2017). "Tigers hit with 'a couple of sore boys': Hardwick". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  67. ↑ Colangelo, Anthony (30 September 2017). "AFL grand final 2017: The moments that mattered in Richmond's win over Adelaide". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  68. ↑ Robinson, Mark (16 October 2017). "Robbo's Top 50: Mark Robinson names his Top 50 AFL players for season 2017". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  69. ↑ Bednall, Jai (5 October 2017). "Tiger's turnaround sparked by Ablett comparison". News.com.au. News Corp Australia.
  70. ↑ "2017 Player Stats". AFL Tables. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  71. ↑ Landsberger, Sam (2 October 2017). "Dustin Martin caps incredible 2017 by winning second Jack Dyer Medal at Richmond best and fairest". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  72. ↑ Black, Sarah (2 October 2017). "Dusty does it again in Tigers' night of nights". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  73. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (5 December 2017). "Premiership Tiger's ankle surgery setback". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  74. ↑ "Dion Prestia is one of five Tigers facing a delayed start to training". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  75. ↑ "Tiger trio nominated for AFLPA MVP". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  76. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (23 August 2017). "Two Tiger success stories locked away". AFL Media. Telstra Media.
  77. ↑ Robinson, Mark (10 October 2018). "Mark Robinson names his top 50 AFL players following the 2018 season". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  78. ↑ Diamond, Brent (28 November 2015). "'Bromance' between Adam Marcon and Kane Lambert reignited at Richmond". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  79. ↑ Olle, Sarah (30 November 2015). "AFL 2015: Adam Marcon, Kane Lambert set to continue partnership at Richmond". PerthNow. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
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