Kane Lambert Biography

Carlton recruit Michael Gibbons has revealed a message from Richmond premiership star Kane Lambert helped to inspire his long journey to an AFL list.

The pair played a season together with Williamstown in the VFL, with Gibbons revealing that Lambert had stayed in touch in an effort to help motivate his journey to an AFL club.

"He reached out after the draft when I missed out," Gibbons said.

"Someone like him, who gritted for a long time and eventually got a chance and showed he could do it, he's definitely a good role model for me to look up to."

Richmond has locked away hard-running forward Kane Lambert until the end of 2022, with the premiership star re-signing alongside younger teammates Ryan Garthwaite and Callum Coleman-Jones.

Lambert was due to come out of contract at the end of 2019, but a new three-year deal is just reward for the 27-year-old who has come on in leaps and bounds in recent seasons.

Garthwaite has signed on until 2020, while Coleman-Jones, who is yet to make his debut for Richmond, has recommitted until the end of 2021.

Kane Lambert undergoes minor surgery for an ankle syndesmosis sprain suffered early during Richmond's 74-point thumping of Gold Coast.

"He went into some minor surgery to put some reinforcement onto the ankle," physical performance manager Peter Burge said.

"Right now, he's probably going to miss the next two weeks and we're going to prepare him for the first final."

Dual North Melbourne premiership coach Denis Pagan has spoken of his exasperation at watching Richmond premiership midfielder Kane Lambert repeatedly ignored by AFL clubs.

Pagan ended his 25-year coaching career in 2009 with a year at the helm of TAC Cup side Northern Knights, where he met then-17-year-old Lambert.

Lambert, 25, had to wait until the 46th pick in the 2014 rookie draft, after winning the Fothergill-Round Medal a season earlier as the VFL's most promising young player.

"I'm just so glad it's all worked out for Kane now. He's a quality kid and he's so popular at Richmond," Pagan told SEN.

"He just won me from day one.

"I think he went through six drafts (before) he got his chance and I was so pleased that he had a great year, and finished third in the best and fairest in a premiership for the Tigers."

Dustin Martin caps off a season of individual brilliance with his second consecutive Jack Dyer medal as Richmond's best and fairest for 2017.

Martin claiming the medal with 89 votes from key defender Alex Rance (80 votes), with half-forward/midfielder Kane Lambert (76) a surprise third after a career-best season.

"It's been an awesome year and we all deserve it," Martin said of the Tigers' premiership in 2017.

"I just love getting out there with all the boys, playing footy and you don't have to think about all the other crap in your life for those two hours, you just get out there and play footy like I've loved since I was five or six."

Kane Lambert and Dan Butler sign two-year deals each with the Tigers that will keep them at the club until the end of 2019.

"Both Kane and Dan have experienced great seasons in 2017 and we are pleased they have committed to the club for at least the next two years," Richmond list manager Dan Richardson said.

"Kane’s story is quite remarkable. He has worked his way up the VFL ranks, to the Rookie Draft and is now playing consistent AFL football.

"Dan has also shown great perseverance and after making his debut in round one and he has played 19 senior games this year.

"They have both taken big steps forward this season and we look forward to watching their development over the next two years."

After managing just 28 games in his first two seasons, Kane Lambert has established himself in the Tigers' side in 2017, missing only the round one win against Carlton.

In just his 41st game, the 25-year-old had a career-high 33 possessions (including 12 contested) for the Tigers in their rousing 13-point victory over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Lambert also laid a team-high 10 tackles and was level with ruckman Toby Nankervis for leading the side for clearances with six.

"It felt like a high-running game, they're very good in the contest so we had to try and match them there and then try to exploit them on the outside," Lambert said.

Kane Lambert says it was a "privilege" to get the call to curb Brownlow medallist Sam Mitchell in what became a match-turning stopping role for the Tigers.

"It's good the coach has that confidence in me to be able to go to a player and lock him down," Lambert said.

"Whether that's through the midfield or in that half-back type role on players who are hurting us. If I can lock him down and play a role for the team, I'm more than happy to do that.

"(Mitchell)'s a privilege to play on, really. I learned a lot on him – just in those three quarters – so I'll take plenty out of that game."

Richmond sign Kane Lambert, Jake Batchelor and Dan Butler to one-year extensions.

"The club's pre-season campaign is now underway and it is fantastic to have Kane, Jake and Dan re-sign, as we set our sights firmly on season 2017," Richmond football talent manager Dan Richardson said.

"They are all hard working and determined individuals who add great value to this football club."

Kane Lambert will miss up to six weeks due to a punctured lung and cracked rib he suffered in an incident in the first quarter of the Tigers' 35-point loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

Lambert, 24, was taken to hospital suffering breathing difficulties after being hurt in a marking contest as Brad Ebert caught him in the ribs with a knee.

Richmond has promoted midfielder Kane Lambert to its senior list after an impressive debut season.

Lambert played 13 games in 2015, including the Tigers' elimination final loss to North Melbourne.

The 23-year-old made his debut in round two, but missed the next two months with a shoulder injury before breaking back into the midfield and rotating in a half-forward role to average 15 possessions.

"To play 13 games was a terrific effort and Kane played some terrific footy for us, so hopefully he can build on that," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

"His clearance work is good, he's got clean hands and he's got speed in traffic, so he'll be another player competing for a midfield spot in 2016 and adding to our depth."

Kane Lambert is relishing his belated chance at AFL level after producing his best game of the season in Richmond's 16-point win over the Saints.

Lambert collected 19 disposals and kicked an important goal during Richmond's 10th victory of the season.

The mature-age rookie entered the AFL system later than most draftees and at 23, he says he is making up for lost time.

"(Richmond coach Damien Hardwick) showed a lot of faith in me, playing me in round two," Lambert said.

"It was unfortunate to get injured (he suffered a severe shoulder during his debut against the Western Bulldogs) but that's footy.

"But to come back and play one game in the VFL before coming straight back in is something I'm very fortunate for and I'm very grateful, so I'm just determined to repay him for that faith in me."

Kane Lambert makes his AFL debut for Richmond at the MCG with 6 disposals (3 kicks and 3 handballs), 2 marks and a tackle in a 19-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Richmond promotes rookie Kane Lambert to its senior list, putting him in line to make his senior debut in the Tigers' round-one clash against Carlton.

"He's been really impressive," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"He's a mature-age prospect, so we always expected him to be a little bit further advanced than our first-year players.

"The way he's attacked his training, and the way he's fitted into the club, has been outstanding."

Richmond selects Kane Lambert with pick No.46 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"Kane had a really strong finals series in the VFL, so when the standard steps up he was able to play his best footy," Tigers recruiting manager Francis Jackson said.

"In Williamstown's first final he had 17 clearances and kicked four goals. He's worked hard for his opportunity and we're delighted that someone who's been knocked back a couple of times dusts themselves off and perseveres."