AFL figures debate merits of free agency after Tom Lynch's likely move to RichmondSeptember 6, 2018
Matt Balmer
FOX SPORTSTOM Lynch’s likely decision to nominate Richmond as his next home has sparked a debate over the merits of the free agency system.
Lynch, the Gold Coast Suns captain, has chosen Richmond as his club of choice according to reports, with the star forward set to join the Tigers during the 2018 off-season.
The 25-year-old free agent could walk straight to Richmond, who may have won back-to-back premierships by the time Lynch arrives at Punt Road, which doesn’t sit well with former AFL players and AFL figures.
“First things first, that’s an unbelievable get by Richmond. We’ve all been thinking that anyway, for many many months,” Mark Robinson said on AFL 360 on Wednesday.
“We had Jack (Riewoldt) here last night, he could’ve given us a wink wink, but he’s sort of been playing funny buggers on the Tom Lynch story for the last couple of months now Jack.
“A player like him going to one of the best teams in the competition, it improves them no end — now heightened discussion and you can start it now Gerard (Whateley). Should last year’s premier and possibly this year’s premiers be able to pick up one of the best players in the competition under free agency, is that the system that we want?”
AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley agreed, suggesting it was not the reason the model was brought in to the AFL.
“What I know is that it’s not how free agency was conceived, it’s not how it was sold and not how it was implemented,” Whateley said.
“It was absolutely inevitable that this was going to be the outcome, as it has been everywhere around the world.”
Robinson explained that Lynch was likely to be paid “about a million dollars’ per season”, while Whateley suggested that Richmond had done “a couple of years of planning” to bring the power forward to Tigerland.
Former Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes argued on Sportsday SA that it wasn’t “fair” that Lynch could walk from the 17th placed Suns to possible back-to-back premiers Richmond.
“How Tom Lynch can leave the Gold Coast Suns for a team like the Richmond Football Club in free agency just isn’t fair.” Cornes said.
Former St Kilda Grant Thomas tweeted that it was “a classic example of City Hall buffoonery” by allowing a star player to move to a strong club under free agency.
“Here’s a classic example of City Hall buffoonery. Tom Lynch says he’s going to Tigers. Shock horror!” Thomas tweeted.
“Where else would a star player go who’s starved of the holy grail — premiership?! AFL are so damn stupid it’s insane. They produce a system to equalise but it imbalances. Classic!”
Western Bulldogs great Bob Murphy suggested that there would be many players questioning how the Tigers could bring Lynch into their club.
“I remember being at the bad end of a year for the Dogs and the news came through that Buddy’s gone to the Swans,” Murphy said on AFL 360.
“I remember sitting at the kitchen bench and it’s almost like ‘what can you do? What’s the point? We’re battling, we’re trying to pay the salary cap and the Swans can get Buddy for nine years’.
“I can just imagine there’s a whole generation of players that sat there today going ‘the Tigers can get Tom Lynch?’
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-figures-debate-merits-of-free-agency-after-tom-lynchs-likely-move-to-richmond/news-story/9c58fdef43988d9f88f3c1132d0bc010
