Kane Lambert’s pathway into the AFL system wasn’t a conventional one.
Recruited from VFL side Williamstown at the age of 23, Lambert was a late bloomer after being overlooked in the 2010 national draft.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the now 26-year-old after playing a star role in Richmond’s drought breaking premiership last season, finishing third in the clubs best and fairest award along the way.
But it wasn’t an easy ride.
“I worked in a gym, largely for the fact it suited my lifestyle to be able to play footy at the highest standard that I could,” Lambert told SEN’s Time On.
“Basically when I was playing at Williamstown my day would start at 4:30 and I would be up opening the gym at 5.
“I would get home for half an hour before rushing off to training, come back and be home between 10:00 and 10:30.
“It was tough. I was pretty knackered by that stage.
“There the sacrifices you have got to make to get to somewhere you want to be.”
The forward was hell-bent on getting the absolute best out of himself, whether that was at VFL or AFL level.
When it was announced Lambert would be heading to Punt Road it all came as a shock as there was no contact from the Tigers prior to him being drafted.
“Getting drafted to me wasn’t the be all and end all, it was about being the best player that I could be," he said.
"If that was at VFL level where I gave myself every opportunity then I would have been satisfied with that.
"There was always a desire to get to the next level, particularly playing with and against AFL listed players.
"I always felt like my form at VFL level would warrant AFL selection and that gave me confidence to keep perusing a career in football.
"I was fortunate enough that I had good bosses along the way who understood where my drive was and I was very fortunate that my name was read out even though I wasn’t expecting it one bit.
"There was no inclination that Richmond were interested in me, not that year and the six years prior. It was quite a surprise."
The reigning premiers take on North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Listen to Kane Lambert's chat with Sam McClure in the player below