The pathway to the AFL has certainly had its twists and turns for Williamstown’s Kane Lambert.
Back in 2009 Lambert won the Northern Knights best and fairest award and was selected in the TAC Cup Team of the Year. The team featured 14 players that would be selected by AFL clubs at the 2009 NAB AFL Draft including the likes of Jake Carlisle, Gary Rohan, Tom Scully and Luke Parker. Kane Lambert however was not one of them.
After a handful of VAFA games in 2010, Lambert joined the Northern Blues in 2011 and started his journey to the AFL. Seven senior games in his first year increased to 17 in 2012 along with VFL state selection. 2013 was his standout year, finishing runner up in the J.J. Liston Trophy, and winning the prestigious Fothergill-Round Medal for the best U23 player in the competition.
The award had seen the previous seven selections drafted in the year they were honoured with the title, but it was not to be the case for Lambert.
Instead he had to wait a further 12 months to get his chance, selected by Richmond in the Rookie Draft.
Lambert average 20 disposals a game, with his standout match of the season his 32 disposals and four goals against Werribee in the Semi Finals.
The form line for Lambert steadily improved throughout the year, after his preseason was restricted due to a hip injury
Williamstown coach Andy Collins praised the new Richmond recruits professionalism as he eased himself back into full training and slowly regained his match fitness.
“We managed him fairly carefully throughout the course of the year, and it is a real credit to his professionalism that he was in really good shape by the end of the year and playing his best football.”
Collins believes the draft results for the VFL were not only pleasing for the standalone clubs, but also for state league football in general.
“It is great news for us as a standalone, and great to see four standalone (club) boys drafted.
“It shows the merit of our program, and particularly the merits of a Kane Lambert coming into our program,” Collins said.
“It should inspire all state league players around the country. The young player Carlton picked up at pick 21 that is a great story, along with Adam Saad and Nic Newman.
“And definitely Kane in regards to his perseverance and resilience it is one that should inspire every state league player across Australia.
“It just reminds recruiters the talent that is out there in all state league competitions “
Collins has seen an number of the players he has coached over the years move on the the AFL ranks, and Lambert is right up there with the best.
“I am very confident, as I was if not more so with Steve Morris, and guys like Ben McGlynn that I have coached, that I know that Kane is equal to all these guys in regards to his professionalism and his attitude,” Collins said.
“He is a competitor. Because of his fierce competitiveness, he is a cool kid and always in the moment. . He is an elite athlete with and elite athletes mind."
Last Modified on 18/12/2014 17:29