Defensive switch just the tonicRICHMOND's Richard Tambling has been given a licence to thrill after a positional switch that has set the Territory Tiger free from the shackles of structure. The man made a scapegoat by many by virtue of a draft selection policy not of his making -- which saw Richmond select him ahead of Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) -- is, lately, coming into his own.
The then youngster many saw carving it up in Darwin junior football prior to his AFL calling in 2004, and earmarked him a certain first-round selection in that year's draft, has found a new lease on life in football's 'creative zone': half-back.
Tambling (pictured) is averaging total possession numbers in the 20s since his switch as a half-forward/midfielder to defence, where his pace and skills have given Richmond that instinctive, creative and imaginative rebound it has lacked. Mind you, it hasn't transformed the Tigers into a winning unit but they did record their third win on Saturday night, against West Coast, with Tambling often seen breaking the lines from down back.
Gone is the indecision that plagued Tambling's foray as a forward reliant on a predictable set-up near goals and in place is a man finding his niche 85 games into his AFL career as a rebounding half-back with the skill and precision to match.
The numbers don't lie either. Since his shift to the backline (Round 6 v Sydney), Tambling has averaged a touch under 15 kicks, 11 handballs and almost nine marks per game. Compare that to his first month this season -- which saw him dropped in Rounds 2 and 4 -- where his 20 kicks and 23 handballs didn't give the Tigers much in the way of reward.
Perhaps now, with a caretaker coach, maybe a new one for next season, Richard Tambling can continue to provide that spark the Tigers desperately need.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Last Modified on 17/06/2009 12:45