THE NAME Richard Tambling might create a range of responses from Richmond fans but the man himself will be squarely in their corner when the ball is bounced in Saturday's Grand Final.
Picked at No.4 in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft, Tambling played 108 games for the Tigers before being traded to Adelaide at the end of 2010 for a first and third round pick.
He played 16 games with the Crows before being delisted at the end of 2013 and he played for Northern Territory Thunder in Darwin this season.
Mega preview: Grand Final, Adelaide v Richmond
On Saturday, having just had his third child, Isabelle, Tambling will sit down with his Tiger-supporting son, Tyson, 11, and watch the clash on television.
Although he is happy for both of his former clubs, Tambling admitted his heart remains with the yellow and black.
"I just enjoy my footy nowadays but obviously the 'Tigs'. I spent most of my career there and am grateful for the opportunity Richmond gave me and my family," Tambling told AFL.com.au.
"They are definitely the club in my mind that we're going for this weekend."
Tambling is a humble soul, respected for the way he handled himself whenever under pressure at Richmond.
He is happy for those he once played alongside to enjoy success he never experienced during his career, and is personally now focused on his and partner Amy’s three children, Tyson, Leah and Isabelle.
"I was fortunate enough and lucky enough to be [at Richmond] when a lot of those young players who have turned into superstars started, so [I'm] happy for both clubs and they both deserve it," Tambling said.
In his final game with Richmond he played alongside David Astbury, Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards, Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt, who will all play in the Grand Final, while 11 teammates who played in his last game for the Crows are part of Adelaide's line-up on Saturday.
Tambling was rapt to see Martin win a Brownlow and share a stage with last year's winner Patrick Dangerfield, both former teammates of the 31-year-old.
"Dusty works very hard and played great footy all year. He's up there with Danger as well: both champion blokes and great footballers," Tambling said.
Tambling said he joined both clubs when they entered rebuilding phases but Punt Road was more old-school during his time at Richmond than the Crows were when he arrived.
(L-R) Brodie Smith, Brent Reilly, Richard Tambling and Rory Sloane in 2011. Picture: AFL Photos
"When I went back to Adelaide everything was a lot more professional," Tambling said.
"They had just redeveloped their whole shed and the equipment there was state of the art, and I guess Richmond has that now and it just goes to show if the clubs have better money and look after their players then their players perform for them in return."
