VFL 2018: the son of a former Richmond star to debut for Tigers’ VFL team

THE son of a former Richmond best and fairest earns a call-up to the Tigers’ VFL team in the final round.

HE’S the son of a Tiger gun. And tomorrow he’ll follow his father into Richmond colours.

Bailey Lambert, 19, will make his debut for the Richmond VFL team in the final-round match against Frankston after gaining selection as the 23rd player.

The son of 1991 Richmond best and fairest Craig Lambert has waited patiently for his chance at state-league level since relocating from Brisbane and joining the VFL Tigers this year.

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A midfielder with a liking for a goal, Lambert has spent the season at Noble Park, earning an Eastern league Young Guns nomination.

Noble coach Mick Fogarty said the right-footer had been in “particularly strong’’ form in the past six weeks and was ready to take his chance.

Bailey Lambert slots a goal for Noble Park. Pic: Jen Quaife.

“He’s been a pleasure to have at our footy club this year. He brings enthusiasm, energy and he’s a terrific young man,’’ he said.

“He’s been patient but now he’ll go up against the Frankston Dolphins and I hope he does well.’’

Fogarty said Lambert — who played for Redland in the NEAFL last season — was a “tough inside mid who wins his own footy but can also get it on the outside and use it well’’.

“For his size he’s also a really good mark. He can take a strong contested mark, and he likes to kick a goal. He’s got the attributes to take his footy a long way.’’

He said it was to be admired that Lambert had left his close-knit family and moved to Melbourne to pursue his football.

Craig Lambert takes a kick for Brisbane.

As a Richmond supporter, Fogarty appreciates the father-son link.

He not only coaches Bailey, he played Under 19 football at South Melbourne with Craig Lambert, who went on to play 123 games for Richmond from 1988-1993, winning the 1991 best and fairest.

Transferring to Brisbane, he played another 96 AFL matches, taking the best and fairest in 1994 and earning All Australian plaudits in 1996.

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Craig and Melissa Lambert will be at Frankston to watch their son debut.

Richmond needs to defeat the Dollies to lock up a top-two finish.

And if that’s accomplished there is a chance the Tigers will kick off the finals with a Saturday qualifying final under lights at Punt Rd.

Channel 7 will broadcast a qualifying final, giving the VFL prime time exposure on the weekend of the AFL bye.