Two athletes, who finished 1-2 for the Michael McLean Medal at last year’s National Under 16 championships, have just spent three days experiencing life with the Brisbane Lions.
Darwin’s Richard Tambling and Queenslander Ben Drew (pictured) took part in speed development, weights, stretching and skills sessions with the full Lions contingent as part of their AIS/AFL scholarship.
Each January the scholarship-holders are placed at an AFL club of their choice and the young duo will take plenty of heart from the fact that last year’s visitors to the Lions – Jay Schulz and Byron Schammer – were drafted at Nos 12 and 13 last November.
While Drew is eligible for this year’s National draft, Tambling will have to bide his time as he does not turn 17 until 2004.
Tambling won the McLean Medal for best player in Division 2 of the National Under 16 championships in Perth last season, beating Drew for the award by a single vote. Drew obviously harbours no grudges – his family hosted Tambling during his stay in Queensland this week.
Tambling actually left a lingering impression after the Northern Territory clashed with Queensland in Perth. “I remember he took this screamer – he jumped right over the top of our ruckman without touching him,” Drew recounted.
While Drew is an avowed Lions fan – “I’ve been a season ticket holder for the last three years” – Tambling somewhat sheepishly admitted he follows Essendon, although his Lions experience has made a strong impact.
“I was actually giving it a bit of thought this morning, wondering who I should jump to,” he said, admitting the Lions player group had made a big impression.
Opposing 2001 grand final skippers Michael Voss and James Hird have been his football heroes, and he received a big thrill running alongside former Bomber Blake Caracella at training.
“The place was a bit overwhelming just with the size of it,” Tambling said of the Lions’ training facilities. “The players were so awesome, they were just very positive.”
Tambling also represented the NT at the National Under 18 titles last year, and made his senior debut with Southern Districts in the NTFL as a 15-year-old.
Blessed with great speed and skill, and a maturity to match, midfielder Tambling said his day at the draft could not come quick enough.
It was not so long ago that Drew was chasing autographs of the players who he was training alongside for the three days, although despite being a proud Queenslander, he will happily go anywhere to achieve his dream of playing at the elite level.
It is a goal he has chased from the age of four when he suited up with the Redcliffe Tigers’ under 8s. “I don’t think I left the goalpost though in those days,” he joked.
His introduction to Australian football came through his father, who settled on the game after playing a variety of sports, and young Ben was always hovering around the Everton Districts club.
He currently lives at Deception Bay and will be a strong candidate for the Northern Eagles’ senior team later in the year after his Northern Raiders and state under 18 duties are completed.
A genuine utility, he has played in most positions on the ground and is forever happy to fill whatever role his coach asks.
