There was no one individual factor affected Tambling during his footy career.
A list of these makes interesting reading, though these are from memory.
1. Identified as talented junior at U16 level, 2002.
2. Has an exciting first U18 season, 2003.
3. Recovers from back injury to have an exciting U18 National Champs, 2004.
4. Drafted by Richmond, 2004.
5. Arrives in Melbourne at 17yo with pregnant girlfriend, 2004.
6. Overcooked in first preseason and season, with back and hamstring soreness affecting season, 2005.
7. Takes on duties as first time father at 18yo, 2005.
From there, it becomes a case of a talented junior, injured early, who suffers from being drafted at a club with poor junior development.
No doubt, he suffered from the comparisons between himself and Franklin.
My reflection on Tambling is that we took a talented junior at no.4, who succeeded in playing 100 games with us, despite poor junior development at our club.
And certainly much better than our 2005 choices.
There were many other juniors taken by other AFL clubs in the early 2Ks that never got to play a single game of AFL.
The lesson we learn from drafting Tambling is that relocating interstate juniors is an extremely risky business, especially when you don't have the necessary developmental systems in place.
To me, early draft picks are best used on those with a strong, disciplined 3 to 4 years in a state-based competition, ideally the TAC.
I hope all is well in Tambling's life.