Richmond has extended the contract of premiership midfielder Kane Lambert, locking in the 27-year-old till the end of 2022.
The Tigers also re-signed emerging key defender Ryan Garthwaite through 2020 and young ruckman Callum Coleman-Jones to the end of 2021.
Lambert’s extension furthers the commitment of the club to the side that brought the premiership cup back to Punt Road after a 37-year drought.
The 22 players from the winning grand final team are all still at Richmond, the first time an AFL premiership group has stayed together two-years on since the Brisbane Lions of 2001.
MORE: Richmond's full 2019 preview including fixture, player list and odds
Lambert has lifted his game to an elite level after entering the AFL late.
Overlooked in multiple drafts, he was eventually given a chance by Richmond, the Tigers taking the then 23-year-old with the 46th overall selection in the 2015 rookie draft.
Lambert has steadily improved his game and was a crucial part of Richmond’s premiership campaign, gathering over 20 disposals and kicking a goal in each of their 2017 finals and placing third in the club best and fairest that year.
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) December 20, 2018
He improved again in 2018, finishing second in the best and fairest and making the All-Australian short list.
“We’re always so impressed by Kane, whether it’s his commitment and determination as a player, or his impressive character as a person,” Richmond's head of player personnel and list development Blair Hartley told the club website this week.
“He gives us everything each day - we’ve loved watching him develop, continue to take his football to another level, and make others around him better.”
Garthwaite made his debut this year and, despite only playing two senior games, is seen as a strong long-term replacement for key defenders Alex Rance and David Astbury.
Coleman-Jones is yet to play a senior game after being taken with the 20th overall selection in the 2017 draft, but as is the case with most ruckmen nowadays, he will be given plenty of time to develop in the state league.