Richmond’s unique list model has it perfectly placed to lure free agent Tom Lynch from Gold CoastJon Ralph,
Herald Sun
May 3, 2018 RICHMOND’S unique list model, mixing superstars with cheap role players, has allowed them cap room to pitch for Suns free agent Tom Lynch.
Many observers have wondered how the reigning premiers would afford the Gold Coast key forward given their existing salary cap demands.
But if the 25-year-old does return to Melbourne as many expect he will in effect take a pay cut.
Already on around $1 million a season, he would accept less at a Victorian club than Gold Coast is able to offer him next year given the Suns’ huge salary cap room.
The Tigers are ideally placed despite paying Dustin Martin $1.2 million a year and more than $700,000 to Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia.
Richmond has its best five players taking up an estimated $4.5 million of the salary cap, but also has had many players on extremely modest contracts.
The club’s cheap-as-chips premiership heroes include Jack Graham, Nathan Broad, Daniel Rioli, Jason Castagna, Dan Butler, Kamdyn McIntosh and Jacob Townsend.
Many have recently signed new deals but key Tigers figures Brendon Gale and Damien Hardwick have publicly stated they have room for a big fish.
Recent premiers Hawthorn and Geelong did not have the outrider like Martin but had a solid core of eight to 10 players on extremely healthy contracts.
It has been made clear to rival clubs that Richmond, Hawthorn and Collingwood are the three contenders, with other inquiring teams firmly told they are not in the race.
Tigers star Alex Rance said recently if Lynch wanted to talk with the Tigers leadership group he would be happy to meet him.
But it is understood Lynch will not meet rival clubs mid-season.
He had previously said he would not consider his position until mid-year, with Lynch now out until after the Round 10 bye with a knee injury.
Like returning free agent Patrick Dangerfield before him, that deadline is likely to drift back until later in the year and eventually the post-season.
Gold Coast and his management have left the decision and timeline up to him but even former coach Rodney Eade says his gut feel is Lynch will leave.
Lynch is desperate to win a premiership, with Richmond and Hawthorn seen as clubs where he could slot in as a star without being the saviour.
But Collingwood’s recent strong performances and core of young tight-knit players — many from the Paul Connors stable — will help their chances.
The salary cap jumped from $10.37m to $12.4m last year and hits $13.54m by 2022, plus marketing payments.
This year it is $12.59 million plus $1.093 in additional service agreements for marketing, climbing to $13.02 million next year and $13.28 million in 2021.
Richmond has also had unexpected departures — Ben Griffiths retired to be a college punter this year, Brett Deledio moved to GWS and Chris Yarran retired to move to Perth.
Shaun Hampson, Bachar Houli, Reece Conca, Shai Bolton, Anthony Miles, Corey Ellis and Nathan Broad remain out of contract at the Tigers.
Lynch is already paid around $1 million a year at the Suns, so are expected to offer a more generous contract than Melbourne teams.
Like Dangerfield before him, Lynch would be extremely well paid but not demand the type of contract that would prevent the club from keeping a premiership list together.
Tigers vice-captain Alex Rance told AFL Tonight recently he did not want to inflame the situation or put more pressure on Lynch.
But he made it clear if he wanted to talk to the Tigers players he would be more than willing to make a pitch.
“Obviously if he wanted to come he would come and have a chat with us. You want a pulse check of the culture,’’ he said.
“Coaches and recruiters are probably going to paint a pretty good picture of what the club is. If I was to go to another club I would really want to feel the nitty gritty of what’s wrong with the club because everyone is going to say what’s right with the club. But I would think at some stage if Tom wanted to come he might want to sit down with the leadership group.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. I want him to enjoy his footy. I don’t want to say something sensational like he is coming or he is not.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmonds-unique-list-model-has-it-perfectly-placed-to-lure-free-agent-tom-lynch-from-gold-coast/news-story/93c97972a78071705a44cd89e88ff693
