He went undrafted after a junior career with the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup, before a four-year stint at state-league level that included being named in the VFL's team of the year and receiving the league's most improved player award in 2013.

[4][5] He was overlooked in the AFL national, pre-season and rookie drafts following the 2009 season and subsequently ceased playing football in his first year out of school.

[8] He remained at the club through a name change in 2012 when he was selected in a team of the VFL's best players that would represent Victoria in a state-league exhibition match.

[13] In addition, Lambert placed fifth in the VFL Coach's Award and received the Laurie Hill Trophy as his club's best and fairest player.

[14][15] His season began slowly, with hip arthroscopic surgery limiting his off-season progress and making him wait until round 3 to play his first match for the club.

[17] In the finals series Lambert turned in an incredible performance in his side's semi-final victory over Werribee, where he recorded 32 disposals, 17 clearances, 15 inside 50s and four goals.

[29] A further seven straight matches with the senior side followed before Lambert turned in a two-goal, 27 disposal performance against the Gold Coast in round 20 that saw him named in the club's best players that day.

[34][35] He opened the pre-season and the season-proper with Richmond's best-22, playing a starring role with a team-high 28 disposals, game-high seven tackles and a goal in round 1's season-opening victory over Carlton.

[50] Lambert made an impact the following week when he was given a tagging role on West Coast midfielder Sam Mitchell for the final three quarters of the match.

[53] Lambert continued to contribute at AFL level over the following two months, reaching the season's midpoint with what would be a career-best average of 18.8 disposals per game.

[54] In round 12, the final match of that stretch, he earned a coaches award vote and a mention by The Age as one of Richmond's best for his performance in a win over North Melbourne.

[68] At the conclusion of the season and finals series Lambert was named at number 50 in Herald Sun chief football reporter Mark Robinson's list of the league's best players in 2017.

[76] Lambert kicked four goals and was among Richmond's best in one match during the club's pre-season campaign, before opening the season-proper with a win over Carlton at the MCG.

[77][32] He played a key role in round 4's 93-point win over Brisbane, notching 26 disposals, two goals and earning a mention among Richmond's best by AFL Media.

[78] The following week he was named best-on-ground by the Herald Sun for a two-goal performance against Melbourne in the marquee ANZAC Day eve match.

[79] Lambert was again a multiple goal scorer in round 7, earning himself seven AFL Coaches Award votes to tie as Richmond's equal-best player that week.

[84][32] Lambert added three goals and an equal team-high 27 disposals to earn seven AFL Coaches votes in the club's return match in round 15.

[94] Lambert made a full injury recovery in his three weeks on the sidelines, including during the post-season bye, before returning in the club's qualifying final win over Hawthorn.

[97] Following the conclusion of the 2018 finals series, Lambert was named by the Herald Sun's chief football writer Mark Robinson as the league's 32nd best player during the 2018 season.

[112][113] After six weeks on the sidelines, Lambert returned to football with 23 disposals in a round 15 win over St Kilda in which he was named by AFL Media as one of Richmond's best players.

[116] Lambert repeated the effort in round 18, again kicking three goals but this time earning nine votes as co-best on ground along with Team of the Week honours.

[123] AFL Media described Lambert as "again influential" in the grand final, as he kicked one goal and had 19 disposals to help his side to an 89-point victory that earned him a second premiership in three years.

[128][129][130] He recovered in time to contribute 14 disposals and a goal in a round 1 win over Carlton two weeks later which was played extraordinary conditions imposed on the league as a result of the rapid progression of the coronavirus pandemic into Australia.

[32][139] In round 5, Lambert played a starring role his 100th career AFL match, judged best-on-ground with a maximum 10 coaches votes for a performance that included 27 disposals, five clearances and three goals.

[141][142] Despite missing best-on-ground honours in a round 6 win over Sydney in Brisbane that weekend, Lambert was again judged his side's best player with five coaches votes for recording 22 disposals, six inside-50s and an equal game-high six tackles.

[155][156][157] In addition to his premiership silverware, Lambert earned ninth place in the club's best and fairest award, after playing in 20 of a possible 21 matches that season.