Richmond’s recruiting in the last nine years has been average at best. And if Richard Tambling ends up being traded away from Punt Road, it is another wasted draft pick for a club on the rise.
Tambling was picked up for the Tigers with selection No.4 in the 2004 National Draft. He looked a likely prospect, but has since has been heavily scrutinised.
You could shift the blame on the man himself for his slow development for such a high draft pick, but the talent in the year he was listed played a large role too.
Brett Deledio, Jarryd Roughead, Ryan Griffen all manned the top three picks, not to mention Lance “Buddy” Franklin in fifth, Jordan Lewis seventh and Angus Monfries, picked at 14.
Tambling had a breakthrough AFL season in 2009 averaging almost 22 disposals over 20 games, but his year slowed towards its finale, having suffered with compartment syndrome.
Supporters could see his drive and skills worthy of a higher order selection, yet it was only a quick snippet off his capabilities. In 108 games, it was merely a flash and he is only one player out of a number who haven’t hit the mark.
Richmond recruiters have got it wrong on many occasions and of late, here are just a few:
Danny Meyer (Pick 12, 2004 National Draft): Recruited from Glenelg, Meyer could only muster up 17 games between 2005-08 and was subsequently delisted at the conclusion of the 2008 AFL season. Since then, he has been picked up by Port Adelaide as a rookie in the 2008 Rookie Draft and played nine games.
Adam Pattison (Pick 16, 2004 National Draft): Played 61 games for Richmond in five seasons from 2005-09. Delisted at the end of the 2009 season and then picked up by St.Kilda. Pattison is a ruckman who wasn’t good enough to keep his position on the Tigers’ list. There are too many better big men blocking his path.
Jay Schulz (Pick 12, 2002 National Draft): Managed 71 games and 58 goals (2003-2009), which wasn’t enough to earn him another contract. Injuries and fluctuating form didn’t help his cause. He has rejuvenated his career with Port Adelaide playing 16 games and kicking 33 goals in 2010, to finish equal tenth for the John Cahill Medal and be the leading goal kicker for the club.
David Rodan (Pick 33, 2001 National Draft): First learned of his sacking from the club after then captain Kane Johnson at the club’s 2006 best and fairest count delivered his bad news in his season ending speech. Rodan was impressive in his first two years, but then a knee injury in 2005 worked against him and he was delisted at the end of season 2006. Port Adelaide is now reaping the rewards of his services.
Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (Pick 8, 2005 National Draft): Oakley-Nicholls just couldn’t cut it at AFL level with only 13 games to his name from 2006-2009. He spent most of his time at Coburg in the VFL. West Coast picked him up as a rookie at the end of the 2009 season and since he has struggled with a groin injury in 2010.
Such results show Richmond has got it wrong, but at times they have got the long end of the straw.
Yes, the club has got it right with Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt. But with Tambling, a player who’s a good possibility of finding a new home with Essendon leading in the race, it is another stab in the back for Tigers’ recruiters.
David Rodan could have been kept, yet the Tigers let him go and the move has bit them in the back. Tambling has two years remaining on his contract, helped with funding from an indigenous learning centre at Punt Road, yet Gary March doesn’t mind if he crosses over to another club.
Former Bulldog and Tiger Nathan Brown expects Tambling to be a good prospect for another side, in a team where he could gain a lot of the ball, with the right players around him.
His mental side of his game is where he has to improve, but he could be a good asset. Richmond have waited long enough for his improvement and he was on track to hitting some form. But again in 2010, he has hit a snag playing only 13 matches and finishing 25th in Richmond’s best and fairest award – the Jack Dyer Medal.
If Tambling does end up like David Rodan as a revitalised player at another club, it will be big win for the man.
He will have the last laugh over the Tigers if they do say goodbye to his services. Richmond’s recruiters have got it wrong many a time, but on this occasion, a player could be moving on for the right reasons, but time will tell.
Sometimes teams have it tough and for Tigers fans they have had the rough end of the deal for way too long. But maybe they are getting something stronger back, with a better player as compensation? Bachar Houli looks to be the man, and if he can be better than Tambling, it will be good news for a club which is on the up.
Although it is another wasted draft pick of the past and a new trade the club has to deal with.
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