Richard Tambling

Richard Tambling
Personal information
Full name	Richard Tambling
Nickname(s)	Bling
Date of birth	(1986-09-12) 12 September 1986
Place of birth	Northern Territory
Original team(s)	Southern Districts
Draft	4th overall, 2004 Richmond
Height/Weight	180cm / 81 kg
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2005–2010 2011–2013 Totals	Richmond Adelaide	108 (61) 016 0(1) 124 (62)
1 Playing statistics correct to end of 2013 season.

Richard Tambling (born 12 September 1986) is an Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club and Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League.

Early life

Richard is an Indigenous Australian and his ancestry can be traced to the Woolna, a Northern Territory tribe.^[1]

AFL career

Richmond Tigers

In the 2004 AFL Draft Tambling was a first round selection, the number four pick overall, and drafted to the Richmond Football Club. Richmond had the opportunity to recruit Lance Franklin, some say this was bad judgement made by the Richmond recruitment personnel.^[2] In comparison to Franklin, Tambling's tenure at Richmond has been enigmatic. He had long been considered a dominant player up in the Northern Territory with his explosive speed and ability to read the play; he only confirmed that status throughout the 2004 pre-season. Terry Wallace was particularly impressed, saying he and Deledio were the "best young kids in the country".

2005 and 2006

He played in 12 games in the 2005 AFL season and a further 21 in the 2006 AFL season. In the latter stages of 2005, Tambling struggled with injury, including a broken toe and a consistent hamstring problem.

2007

The speedy youngster came under scrutiny in previous seasons, but showed what he can do when he booted four first-quarter goals against West Coast in round five.

2008

Tambling has further developed his game in season 2008 and has spent more time in the midfield. While his time on ground may not be big, Tambling has proved a handy midfielder who has the ability to win the contested football and kick goals.

2009–10

The constant criticism of the underperforming midfielder reached new heights in the round 3 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Richmond Tigers. Tambling's game was viewed by many experts as one of the worst performances of faltering career due to the amount of costly turnovers from his small total of 12 possessions. He received a bronx cheer from the Richmond fans after getting his first kick which also happened to be a turnover. Coach Terry Wallace later explained that Tambling had become a father in the two days earlier, which had affected his sleep before the match.^[3] Tambling was dropped from the Richmond team for the following match against the Demons. After a week at Coburg, he returned to the AFL in arguably the best form of his career. Very influential against Sydney, Fremantle, and the West Coast Eagles, he was finally showing the ability that was expected of him with his high draft pick.

Adelaide Crows

On 6 October 2010 he was traded to the Adelaide Crows for two draft selections, a first round and third round pick.^[4] On the 30th October, 2013 after only 16 games, he was delisted.

After playing for Sturt in the SANFL, he now plays for the NT Thunder in the 2015 NEAFL competition.

Statistics

Statistics are correct to end of 2012 season.^[5][6]

Career highlights

• Harrison Medal 2004

Notes

External links

• Richard Tambling's profile on the official website of the Adelaide Football Club
• Richard Tambling's statistics from AFL Tables