Former North Melbourne coach Denis Pagan says he is still shocked that Richmond half-forward and 2017 premiership player Kane Lambert was overlooked by club recruiters for so long.
Pagan, who worked with Lambert while serving as coach for TAC Cup outfit the Northern Knights in 2009, says that the now 25-year-old made an instant and lasting impression on him, despite fellow Tigers premiership players Dylan Grimes and Josh Caddy also featuring in the Knights side that year.
“Kane Lambert, he just won me from day one,” the two-time AFL premiership coach told SEN Breakfast.
“I just thought he was a right-footed Anthony Stevens. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t given an opportunity.
“I was so pleased that he had a great year, finished third in the best and fairest and got a premiership there for the Tigers.
“It’s a real lesson for everybody. I remember Allan Jeans saying persistence and perseverance knows no failure. He personifies that.
“I’m just so glad it has all worked out for Kane now. He’s a quality kid and he’s so popular at Richmond. I just think, to finish third in the best and fairest ahead of Trent Cotchin, geez they must rate him highly.”
Lambert was recruited by Richmond with pick 46 in the 2015 AFL Rookie Draft, having been overlooked every year since becoming draft eligible in 2009.
He began his senior career at the Carlton-affiliated Northern Bullants (now Blues) in the VFL in 2011, winning the Fothergill-Round Medal for the league’s best young player in 2013 before crossing to Williamstown in 2014.
Pagan says that he implored a host of AFL clubs to look at recruiting Lambert as rookie during his days at the Knights.
“I was with him for virtually 12 months every day at training and match day and just saw him in a whole host of scenarios,” he said.
“I rang two or three clubs, people who I know that work at clubs and said you’d be mad not to take him.”