Former Richmond coach Terry Wallace says the constant comparisons to Lance Franklin were a trigger point for Richard Tambling’s poor on-field performance.
Tambling was selected with the fourth selection in the 2004 draft, while Franklin was picked at number five, forever placing an indirect link between the duo.
As the Tiger failed to produce on his potential, and Franklin turned into one of the game’s greatest ever forwards, Tambling became the target of a slew of criticism and humour.
Wallace, who also faced a fair share of critics for making the pick, has revealed the mental toll the comparisons had on Tambling.
“Richard Tambling was a better footballer three weeks into his time at Richmond, than what he was three years into his time at Richmond,” he told SEN Afternoons.
“I remember his first game he played at Etihad Stadium in a preseason match.
“I remember him getting the ball out of the middle, ducking around four players, taking four bounces, and just taking the game on with freedom.
“Eighteen months later, he was a shell of the same person.
“People say, how come he couldn’t develop? It was all mental.
“Once the Buddy Franklin stuff really kicked in, people were pointing the finger at him.
“He came down as a boy from Darwin, who was a hero. He was captain of the Northern Territory, a superstar; people thought he would be the next Michael Long.
“He had real pride in his background and everything. That vanished.
“The not succeeding to the levels he expected, with that pride, I think he expected to come down and be captain, but he just couldn’t handle it.”
Even though he averaged just 14.9 disposals across six seasons at the Tigers, Wallace says Tambling’s impact on the club has to be measured by his off-field contributions.
“Understand, he went to Canberra on behalf of the Richmond football club and presented to the government, which got the indigenous allowance to build the new Punt Road facility, over 20 million dollars,” he said.
“Richard Tambling was a major part of getting that facility built for the footy club. When history will be written, it won’t be on the field, but it shouldn’t be forgotten what he did off the field.”
Listen to Terry Wallace discuss Richard Tambling, and mental health issues in footy, with Andy Maher on SEN Afternoons in the player below.