Richard Tambling vrs Chris Egan

[The Clokes]

discuss

[Johnson#26]

Tambling, just.

Egan will become a crowd favourite.

[the_mighty_pies_3733]

Tambling by a country mile, but i hope its the the other way around.

[jimmy35]

I havent seen either of them play yet. How do I know! :confused:

[dave_4813]

Tambling by the length of the straight.

[wrennyboy]

Tambling by a country mile..............

[Funkalicous]

Eddie Betts by a country mile!!!

[leonmagic]

U/18 footy means jack ******** now - they're both on AFL lists.

Pop this thread back up in 6 months time and we'll discuss.

[dave_4813]

U/18 footy means jack ******** now - they're both on AFL lists.

Pop this thread back up in 6 months time and we'll discuss.
There was a reason why certain players are selected before each other in the draft. :rolleyes: Tambling > Egan. Not even Collingwood fans can think Tambling < Egan.

[vinnie_vegas69]

Obviously Tambling was considered to be the better player, and he was drafted 6 spots higher, but Egan does have some advantages, such as height. Tambling may be hurt by his size, while Egan has the height for that never to be a worry. Also, from what I've seen of Egan's game, he appears to be a longer, more powerful kick than Tambling.

However, Tambling has the advantage in speed, ability to read the ball, acountibility and the other intangibles that make up a footy player.

[Pedro]

There was a reason why certain players are selected before each other in the draft. :rolleyes: Tambling > Egan. Not even Collingwood fans can think Tambling < Egan.


Means jack. All people are basing this on is reputation. Odds are that Tambling may be better, but unless you've seen them play for a while, its all guesswork. There are plenty of players taken high in the draft that turn out to be nothing.

[dave_4813]

Obviously Tambling was considered to be the better player, and he was drafted 6 spots higher, but Egan does have some advantages, such as height. Tambling may be hurt by his size, while Egan has the height for that never to be a worry. Also, from what I've seen of Egan's game, he appears to be a longer, more powerful kick than Tambling.

However, Tambling has the advantage in speed, ability to read the ball, acountibility and the other intangibles that make up a footy player.
AND SKILL.

[dave_4813]

Means jack. All people are basing this on is reputation.

Once your at AFL level it means nothing. But players are not selected on reputation alone, they are selected on ABILITY and percieved ABILITY. Would you trade your first round pick for selection 70? Players selected higher have a higher ABILITY. This statement you have made is ridiculous, effectively you are saying that the person selected at 1 has no more ability than the person selected last in the Rookie Draft.

Odds are that Tambling may be better, but unless you've seen them play for a while, its all guesswork.There are plenty of players taken high in the draft that turn out to be nothing.

Recruiters watch them play, they don't draft players without watching them play!!! Yes it is guess work to some extent but its very very educated guess work. Wether they shows their ABILITY or not has to do with the ENVIRONMENT at the club. For example Cole being a no one and Roach etc may mean that Collingwood are bad at developing youngsters.

[BlueBoy83]

AND SKILL.

actually from what i read egan has amazing skills ... its just he floats in and out of games ... he makes the brilliant look easy but the easy look hard on occasions.

in saying that tho i would have preferred tambling ... but im still happy with eddie betts :p

[dave_4813]

actually from what i read egan has amazing skills ... its just he floats in and out of games ... he makes the brilliant look easy but the easy look hard on occasions.

in saying that tho i would have preferred tambling ... but im still happy with eddie betts :p
Everyone would prefer Tambling over Egan except Collingwood fans.

[Infamy]

Tambling may be hurt by his size

This won't be an issue, it may have been an initial concern from his weight at the start of the U18 season when he was 68kg but he's already up to 74kg at the draft camp and would have put more on since starting preseason.

He's taller and the same weight as Wells was last year. If you actually see the picture of him that Bentleigh or Hammerfire (cant remember which, maybe both) are posting all over the forum, you wouldn't think that he was a new draftee, he already looks bigger than some of the kids who have been in the system for more than a year.

[Pedro]

Once your at AFL level it means nothing. But players are not selected on reputation alone, they are selected on ABILITY and percieved ABILITY. Would you trade your first round pick for selection 70? Players selected higher have a higher ABILITY. This statement you have made is ridiculous, effectively you are saying that the person selected at 1 has no more ability than the person selected last in the Rookie Draft.



Recruiters watch them play, they don't draft players without watching them play!!! Yes it is guess work to some extent but its very very educated guess work. Wether they shows their ABILITY or not has to do with the ENVIRONMENT at the club. For example Cole being a no one and Roach etc may mean that Collingwood are bad at developing youngsters.



I'm not suggesting that recruiters don't put a heap of time into watching these players before drafting them and at the top end of the draft, these days they are pretty accurate. It doesn't always turn out to be the case though does it. I'm sure the Bullies looked pretty hard at Tim Walsh before they took him at 4. Tambling may be another Walsh, he may be another Judd. Time will tell. The same applies to Egan or any other draftee. There's more to making it in the AFL than ability.

Anyway, I don't know how you managed to work out that pick 1 is no different to a rookie pick from my post. The gist of my post was that it all starts now for these kids. Junior careers matter jack for them now.

[Pedro]

Everyone would prefer Tambling over Egan except Collingwood fans.

Go back and read the thread and name 1 Collingwood supporter who states that they would prefer Egan over Tambling.

[Demonheart]

Rumour at Melbourne is that we thought that Egan would still be around for our pick and were planning on taking him, so we must rate him pretty highly. I think he'll probably be a more consistent player but Tambling's best will be of a higher standard.

Both are welcome at the MFC though.

[jimmy35]

Recruiters watch them play, they don't draft players without watching them play!!! Yes it is guess work to some extent but its very very educated guess work. Wether they shows their ABILITY or not has to do with the ENVIRONMENT at the club. For example Cole being a no one and Roach etc may mean that Collingwood are bad at developing youngsters.

Is that why you took Judd? ooops

[jimmy35]

Everyone would prefer Tambling over Egan except Collingwood fans.

About the same amount that prefered Judd over Hodge would be my guess. :D

[evo]

From the few games that I saw of Egan I was amazed how high he went in the draft.Collingwood have taken a big risk drafting him.At this stage Tambling is way ahead.He's impressing everyone at training already.I can see him playing round 1 2005 and never looking back.As Leon Magic said though, lets revisit this thread in 6 months.

[dave_4813]

Is that why you took Judd? ooops
Mistakes happen but that doesn't mean that automatically Egan is better than Tambling.

[dave_4813]

About the same amount that prefered Judd over Hodge would be my guess. :D
Judd, Hodge and Ball were all considered equals - the difference in recruiters minds was all speculative. No recruiter would rate Egan the equal or even close to Tambling.

[Bentleigh]

Tambling, just.
.

:rolleyes:

[Bentleigh]

. If you actually see the picture of him that Bentleigh or Hammerfire (cant remember which, maybe both) are posting all over the forum, you wouldn't think that he was a new draftee, he already looks bigger than some of the kids who have been in the system for more than a year.

The bastard stole my picture :mad: :p

http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic/10287ZRa5e/242878.jpg

[Hammerfire]

No i didn't, i stole it off "Tambo!!!!"

[Bentleigh]

No i didn't, i stole it off "Tambo!!!!"

Tambo (the bastard :mad: ) stole my picture. :mad: :p

[Lockyer24]

I'll make an early call and say Tambling will be a bust.

[Bentleigh]

I'll make an early call and say Tambling will be a bust.

Ill make an early call and say Tambling will be Wells like and Egan bust.

[Coughlan]

Tambling>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Egan

[dave_4813]

Richmond make me want to vomit but I agree with ^^^^^

[Lockyer24]

Let me re-phrase, Tambling is the most likely to be a bust of the Top 5 picks.

[Punt_Road_Roar]

Let me re-phrase, Tambling is the most likely to be a bust of the Top 5 picks.


But not if he was at Collingwood

;)

[Lockyer24]

No he'd be a better chance of being a bust if we drafted him the way we have gone with early ones.

[dave_4813]

No he'd be a better chance of being a bust if we drafted him the way we have gone with early ones.
Every first round pick you've had hasn't lived up to expectations. Cole, Fraser, Roach etc. etc. etc.

[Lockyer24]

Every first round pick you've had hasn't lived up to expectations. Cole, Fraser, Roach etc. etc. etc.

They haven't been instant superstars but they have time on their side.

Our best success story with 1st round picks Tarrant took 6 years to deliver.

[jimmy35]

I would take Egan,because we did :)
Would I have taken Tambling? Dunno ,havent seen him play. Sounds alright but so did Danny Roach.
Best to actually see them play first methinks.

[dave_4813]

I would take Egan,because we did :)
Would I have taken Tambling? Dunno ,havent seen him play. Sounds alright but so did Danny Roach.
Best to actually see them play first methinks.
LMAO. So you think Egan is better than Tambling?

[leonmagic]

LMAO. So you think Egan is better than Tambling?

How come half this thread has just been you making pointless posts??

******** off already.

[Infamy]

Let me re-phrase, Tambling is the most likely to be a bust of the Top 5 picks.

No chance
Lance Franklin would have been a dead cert Number 1 pick, if it wasn't for the massive question mark over his head regarding risk.

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

There was a reason why certain players are selected before each other in the draft. :rolleyes: Tambling > Egan. Not even Collingwood fans can think Tambling < Egan.

Agreed.
Oh, and by the way, Tambling > Roughhead. ;)

[londontiger]

Wait for 12 months.

On paper Tambling by a mile

[Shaun34]

Wait for 12 months.

On paper Tambling by a mile
I.ve seen both Tambling and Egan play over the last three years LT,on every occassion they played on turf,not sure where the venue was with the paper surface,(maybe a recycling Co.as a sponsor?).
Egan is a malingerer,I doubt he will last long in Melb.
No comparison,Tambling easily.

[rota69]

its stupid comparing players who havent played yet

[French Tiger]

As much as i hope it's Tambling, how can anyone really judge just yet ? I would be guessing myself as i have never seen either of them play !

[Infamy]

its stupid comparing players who havent played yet

Not really, they have played before, its not like they are starting on level pegging, obviously some players have more talent than others, its just that we don't know exactly how they will handle AFL level yet

[BlueBoy83]

Let me re-phrase, Tambling is the most likely to be a bust of the Top 5 picks.


if you listen to him speak and see the determination in his eyes to succeed i very much doubt he will fail!!! he is a freak athelete and imo was a steal at no. 5.

but yeah we should assess in 2 years to see how they've gone ... i have doubts about egan from some stuff i read but he could come good.

[jimmy35]

LMAO. So you think Egan is better than Tambling?

No my friend . Read it again. I typed real slow , just for you.

[The Phantom]

This thread really demonstrates that we are all football starved & can't wait for the Harry Potter Cup to start.

[stefoid]

whos better? (http://themaxx.com/graphics/give-a-********.gif)

[Bentleigh]

Let me re-phrase, Tambling is the most likely to be a bust of the Top 5 picks.

Egan is the most likly not to make it in the top 10, imo.

From what ive seen and heard of Tambling he seems very consistant...

Id have the most likly not to make it would be Franklin.

[vinnie_vegas69]

Egan is the most likly not to make it in the top 10, imo.

From what ive seen and heard of Tambling he seems very consistant...

Id have the most likly not to make it would be Franklin.
I would agree with this, however, the ceiling for these guys if they make it is much higher than others.

While Deledio was taken at #1, he's unlikely ever to be much lower than the third best player in the draft class. Ryan Griffen, taken at #3 will probably never be any worse than the third/fourth best player in the class.

If Lance Franklin does turn out to be everything he can be, he'll probably be the best player of this draft class. However, though he was taken at 5, he could be outside of the top 10 in the draft class if he doesn't make sure his head is right.

Likewise, if Egan becomes consistently the best he can be, he'll be one of the top 5 in the class. Conversely, despite being taken at #10, if he doesn't get more consistency in his game, then he may find himself outside of the top 20 in the draft class.

The odds that guys like Franklin and Egan won't be as good as their draft position would indicate, are much higher than they are with other players. However, the ceiling is also much higher.

For example, while Jordan Lewis will probably always be a top 10 player in the draft class, he'll probably never be in the top 6 or so.

[Snickers]

tambling...

[Snickers]

my next door neighbour is a sports trainer for richmond and he was watching their practice match and said tambling, was unstoppable, best on ground, and far far to quick for everyone. (they are his exact words.)

[Lockyer24]

my next door neighbour is a sports trainer for richmond and he was watching their practice match and said tambling, was unstoppable, best on ground, and far far to quick for everyone. (they are his exact words.)

He was playing against spazzies though.

[Bentleigh]

I would agree with this, however, the ceiling for these guys if they make it is much higher than others.

While Deledio was taken at #1, he's unlikely ever to be much lower than the third best player in the draft class. Ryan Griffen, taken at #3 will probably never be any worse than the third/fourth best player in the class.

If Lance Franklin does turn out to be everything he can be, he'll probably be the best player of this draft class. However, though he was taken at 5, he could be outside of the top 10 in the draft class if he doesn't make sure his head is right.

Likewise, if Egan becomes consistently the best he can be, he'll be one of the top 5 in the class. Conversely, despite being taken at #10, if he doesn't get more consistency in his game, then he may find himself outside of the top 20 in the draft class.

The odds that guys like Franklin and Egan won't be as good as their draft position would indicate, are much higher than they are with other players. However, the ceiling is also much higher.

For example, while Jordan Lewis will probably always be a top 10 player in the draft class, he'll probably never be in the top 6 or so.

I agree with most of this.

If Franklin lives up to 1/2 of his potential he could be a player.

However, If Deledio comes close to living up to his abilty he certainly could be special, I doubt there would be many with more potential. I wouldnt count out Tambling either...


He was playing against spazzies though.

Yeah, and Collingwoods awsome. :rolleyes:

[Snickers]

yeah true lockyer24..... but he said that he was looking good. And he also said that coughlan isnt in full training yet, because of his OP.

[Bentleigh]

yeah true..... but he said that he was looking good. And he also said that coughlan isnt in full training yet, because of his OP.

Couglan is comming along very nicly. He has lost 3/4 kilos yet is leaner and fitter than ever.

I beleive he will be training 100% in early jan.

[jimmy35]

Couglan is comming along very nicly. He has lost 3/4 kilos yet is leaner and fitter than ever.

I beleive he will be training 100% in early jan.

Real good player Coughlan. Hope he can get himself fit and rid of OP and kick on.

[Bentleigh]

Real good player Coughlan. Hope he can get himself fit and rid of OP and kick on.

My favorite player. Totally agree with you, really hope he can get himself right for '05.

Breet Deledio is living at his house :cool:

[jimmy35]

My favorite player. Totally agree with you, really hope he can get himself right for '05.

Breet Deledio is living at his house :cool:

Good role model for the young fella as well. Should be the Tigers captain before much longer too wouldnt he?

[Bentleigh]

Good role model for the young fella as well. Should be the Tigers captain before much longer too wouldnt he?

Too much presure for the kid comming back from injury. Let him find his touch first. Give it to Bowden or most likly Kane Johnson for 1 or 2 years then stright to Cogs.

Cogs will then be 24/25 and the likes of Tambling, Pattison, Deledio will be 19/20/21 etc. Thats when things would start comming good for us. :)

[jimmy35]

Too much presure for the kid comming back from injury. Let him find his touch first. Give it to Bowden or most likly Kane Johnson for 1 or 2 years then stright to Cogs.

Cogs will then be 24/25 and the likes of Tambling, Pattison, Deledio will be 19/20/21 etc. Thats when things would start comming good for us.

Yeah I meant in a year or two. Too early for him yet I think. But you never know what the coaching staff are thinking.
Should be better times in the next few years I agree.

[FIGJAM]

Official results:

C. Egan > R. Tambling
S. Rusling > B. Deledio
T. Cloke > J. Roughhead
A. Iacobucci > J. Lewis


Until I see otherwise, this is the way it stands over the preseason of 2005!

[LC_15]

Official results:

C. Egan > R. Tambling
S. Rusling > B. Deledio
T. Cloke > J. Roughhead
A. Iacobucci > J. Lewis


Until I see otherwise, this is the way it stands over the preseason of 2005!

You were typing that one handed. Right? :D

[crowsarethebest]

Let me re-phrase, Tambling is the most likely to be a bust of the Top 5 picks.
NO .. i think it will be franklin or roughhead .. Kpp are harder to develop

[Bentleigh]

NO .. i think it will be franklin or roughhead .. Kpp are harder to develop


Not too sure bout Roughead but I wouldnt be surprised if Fraklin didnt cut the mustard.

[TheHeatleyStand]

I.ve seen both Tambling and Egan play over the last three years LT,on every occassion they played on turf,not sure where the venue was with the paper surface,(maybe a recycling Co.as a sponsor?).
Egan is a malingerer,I doubt he will last long in Melb.
No comparison,Tambling easily.
Oh Shaun youre right again.
Egan has the capacity to be anything but his off field demeanours are going to finish his career off unless he clears his head.
Ive seen both over a couple of years like you . I have spoken to Tambling on a couple of occasions and he is tunnel visioned to succeed.Hes a leader and an unbelievable talent. IMHO he should have been number 1. I rate him higher than Wells.

On the other hand Egan has all the raw talent in the world but doesnt give a shyt. He does everything you dont want your 18 year olds to do -If you got drafted on talent alone he is top 5 if you got drafted on attitude hed miss the cut.

[Bentleigh]

I have spoken to Tambling on a couple of occasions and he is tunnel visioned to succeed.Hes a leader and an unbelievable talent. IMHO he should have been number 1. I rate him higher than Wells.


You made my day champ. :)

[F/D]

It really depends if you are comparing Wells and Tambling....

At their best....Tambling has more attributes than Wells.....But Wells has the runs on the board....

Im biased so I'd go for Wells...

[Bentleigh]

It really depends if you are comparing Wells and Tambling....

At their best....Tambling has more attributes than Wells.....But Wells has the runs on the board....

Im biased so I'd go for Wells...

If you compare Wells and Tambling, Wells, easy.

Wells is a proven gun. Could be a star.

Tambling is yet to play a game but has abit of promise. :)



2004 Mock Draft - Player Bio

Richard Tambling
Details:
Club: Southern Districts/Northern Territory
DOB: 12 September 1986 Hgt: 181cm Wgt: 74kg
Position: Onballer/Half forward flank
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy 2001
Allan McLean Medal 2002 (best player in Division 2 of Under 16's Carnival)
Northern Territory 2002, 2003, 2004 (Captain)
H.G Harrison Medal 2004 (best player in Division 2 of Under 18's Carnival)
All Australian 2004
MVP of Northern Territory 2004
National Draft Camp 2004

Strengths: Tambling is football’s version of the Human Highlight Reel. An extremely exciting onballer and flanker, he has blistering pace and is capable of the extraordinary. He has the ability to tear a game apart with his brilliant skills, running and ability to kick impossible goals. He has a big leap on him and is very agile.

Tambling is a good leader and was captain of the NT side in the recent carnival. He works very hard defensively, his tackling and smothering is a real feature. His hands are extremely clean and he can be damaging at the stoppages.

Weaknesses: Only weighs 68kg and may take time to put on the bulk required to play at AFL level. Can tend to concentrate on winning the football and not his direct opponent.

Footydraft.com comment: This kid is truly a pleasure to watch. He is already been called the best Aboriginal player of all time, which I think is a bit over the top, but he is going to take the league by storm in time with his extraordinary ability.

[F/D]

If you compare Wells and Tambling, Wells, easy.

Wells is a proven gun. Could be a star.

Tambling is yet to play a game but has abit of promise. :)



2004 Mock Draft - Player Bio

Richard Tambling
Details:
Club: Southern Districts/Northern Territory
DOB: 12 September 1986 Hgt: 181cm Wgt: 74kg
Position: Onballer/Half forward flank
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy 2001
Allan McLean Medal 2002 (best player in Division 2 of Under 16's Carnival)
Northern Territory 2002, 2003, 2004 (Captain)
H.G Harrison Medal 2004 (best player in Division 2 of Under 18's Carnival)
All Australian 2004
MVP of Northern Territory 2004
National Draft Camp 2004

Strengths: Tambling is football’s version of the Human Highlight Reel. An extremely exciting onballer and flanker, he has blistering pace and is capable of the extraordinary. He has the ability to tear a game apart with his brilliant skills, running and ability to kick impossible goals. He has a big leap on him and is very agile.

Tambling is a good leader and was captain of the NT side in the recent carnival. He works very hard defensively, his tackling and smothering is a real feature. His hands are extremely clean and he can be damaging at the stoppages.

Weaknesses: Only weighs 68kg and may take time to put on the bulk required to play at AFL level. Can tend to concentrate on winning the football and not his direct opponent.

Footydraft.com comment: This kid is truly a pleasure to watch. He is already been called the best Aboriginal player of all time, which I think is a bit over the top, but he is going to take the league by storm in time with his extraordinary ability.

And you are trying to say?......

[Bentleigh]

And you are trying to say?......


If you compare Wells and Tambling, Wells, easy.

Wells is a proven gun. Could be a star.

Tambling is yet to play a game but has abit of promise.

[Skooks]

Tambling by so far it aint funny

[TheHeatleyStand]

Im comparing what Wells can do with what Tambling can do on natural raw talent.
I already know Tambling and Wells are both super players.
Yes i know Wells has 2 years under his belt.
Im expecting Tambling to explode onto the scene because thats what he does.
2 years of watching maybe 8 games is enough for me.

Like i said he should have been number 1.

the things that probably went against him. (size, aboriginal kid from Darwin(they might not want to admit it but IMHO that would have counted against Tambling)

Cross between Wells (but better overhead) and Paul Kelly.

How big a rap is that eh????

Every club would kill for a player like that.

Wish he came to Carlton.

Still i reckon Eddie Betts will be a very, very good and electric player for us.
Denis has his endurance happening and even if he is short he is built like Maradonna, youre not going to push Betts off the ball very easily, strong legs and scintillating pace.The other thing i love about Betts is his very sharp footy mind.

Sad we missed out on Tambling. We were never in the hunt but rapt we took Betts especially in the PSD.

Im expecting both of those boys to have very good debut years.

Im a huge rap for Egan too, but from what ive seen (and more importantly heard about him - even since hes been to Collingwood) youve got a talented boy with serious attitude problems.

Deledio will be a star
Griffen ditto

Franklin im not convinced about but i only saw him play live 2 times.

Not sure how great Roughead will become but he has all the attributes to be an AFL footballer.I doubt he will fail.

[Snickers]

Tambling

[TheGeneral]

Anthony Raso because this is a ridiculous thread.

[Tiger 1985]

Im comparing what Wells can do with what Tambling can do on natural raw talent.
I already know Tambling and Wells are both super players.
Yes i know Wells has 2 years under his belt.
Im expecting Tambling to explode onto the scene because thats what he does.
2 years of watching maybe 8 games is enough for me.

Like i said he should have been number 1.

the things that probably went against him. (size, aboriginal kid from Darwin(they might not want to admit it but IMHO that would have counted against Tambling)
Cross between Wells (but better overhead) and Paul Kelly.

How big a rap is that eh????

Every club would kill for a player like that.

Wish he came to Carlton.

Still i reckon Eddie Betts will be a very, very good and electric player for us.
Denis has his endurance happening and even if he is short he is built like Maradonna, youre not going to push Betts off the ball very easily, strong legs and scintillating pace.The other thing i love about Betts is his very sharp footy mind.

Sad we missed out on Tambling. We were never in the hunt but rapt we took Betts especially in the PSD.

Im expecting both of those boys to have very good debut years.

Im a huge rap for Egan too, but from what ive seen (and more importantly heard about him - even since hes been to Collingwood) youve got a talented boy with serious attitude problems.

Deledio will be a star
Griffen ditto

Franklin im not convinced about but i only saw him play live 2 times.

Not sure how great Roughead will become but he has all the attributes to be an AFL footballer.I doubt he will fail.


AFL recruit tipped to make a big noise
Ashleigh Wilson
November 20, 2004
The AFL may never have seen, or heard, anyone quite like Richard Tambling.

Since the national competition was formed more than 10 years ago, Aboriginal footballers have preferred to let their football do the talking; for on-field actions to speak louder than words.

For all the exquisite skills of Michael Long or Andrew McLeod and the Norm Smith Medal-winning exploits of Byron Pickett, they have preferred to keep their own counsel, deftly dodging media interviews and side-stepping public attention.

In Tambling, Aboriginal Australia has now produced a footballer happy to speak his mind and step into the spotlight. His name is expected to be read out by Hawthorn today as the second pick in the national draft. And if Tambling is half as good as informed judges are promising, it will not be a name easily forgotten.

"He's got the football world at his feet," says AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan, who likens the 18-year-old to a combination of the Brisbane Lions' Jason Akermanis and West Coast's Chris Judd.

Yet it is only when you meet Tambling that you begin to understand why he is a footballer apart. There is none of the shyness so common in young black footballers. None of the reluctance to be burdened with high expectations. Tambling is ready for the show.

Tambling began playing football in the tiny Aboriginal community of 15 Mile, outside Darwin, aged 10.

"One of my uncles went out the back and cut up a few trees and made goal posts out of them," Tambling recalled. "That's the way it is with every community up here. You get brought up with footy."

When he was 12, he moved to Kakadu and spent much of his free time spear-fishing and hunting. But he never wandered far from football and moved back to Darwin after a few years.

Word of Tambling has been growing. Already he has been described as the best player to come out of the territory since Long, a two-time premiership player for Essendon and father figure to many current Aboriginal players.

"I know Longy and I've watched him play, but there's a lot of improvement in me to get to where he is," says Tambling.

The move to Melbourne holds no fears. But he will take with him his grandmother's advice: "Don't forget where you come from."

He said: "Just thinking about where I've grown up, to where I think I'm going, to where I want to go, it's just a big jump for me. But coming from a small community, it drives you even more to get what you want."

http://theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11440820%255E601,00.html

[jackson_rules]

i went to the same school as egan in shepparton and all i can say is goodluck to collingwood if he hasnt gotten over the smoking and drinking he was doing last time i saw him about 2 yrs ago