Tiger Lynch dismisses ankle concerns, will face HawksJon Pierik
The Age
16 June 2020Richmond star Tom Lynch has declared he will play in Thursday night's clash against Hawthorn and is keen to continue helping out as a relief ruckman.
Lynch had scans on his ankle on Monday, with suggestions he had a stress issue, but insisted on Tuesday it was not a major problem and he would be available for selection.
"I just a bit of scan on my foot but it's all good. I think the doctor was being a bit cautious but I will play this week," he said.
"It's nothing to see here, really."
"It was just the foot. The doctor just wanted to make sure it's all clear, but I'll be fine. I'm training today and I'm playing this weekend, so I'm not worried at all."
The smooth-moving forward booted three of the Tigers' five goals in the draw against Collingwood when the AFL season resumed last Thursday and is a key cog of the Tigers' hopes of claiming back-to-back premierships. He booted 63 goals last year in his first season at Punt Road but was held goalless by Carlton in round one.
As Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said, it was somewhat of a "bizarre" feeling at the MCG, the unexpected result coming in a largely empty stadium after the players had an enforced 83-day break.
"I have played in one draw before. It is certainly a different feeling. We obviously want to win but it was better than a loss at the end of the day," Lynch said.
"We have a fair bit of improvement left in us. The main thing we saw was a lack of connection across the lines. Obviously, we have had limited training groups, that all clubs have been going through. There were plenty of positives in it and negatives as well."
Lynch said players were adjusting to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed at venues but hoped supporters would be allowed back in soon.
"Last year there was 90,000 there, in a couple of games we played them [Collingwood], so it is, obviously, different," he said.
"But I think round one was a bit more of a shock than round two felt. It was as normal as you can say in this weird climate. We are getting used to it."
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