Richmond's massive seven-year deal for Tom LynchJake Niall
The Age
5 October 2018 9:14amFree agent key forward Tom Lynch will join Richmond on a seven-year deal.
Lynch is set to lodge his contract offer from the Tigers on Friday, the opening day of the free-agency period.
Lynch is expected to earn an average of close to $900,000 over his seven-year deal with Richmond, who have had to make significant adjustments to their list - re-contracting the likes of Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance and Trent Cotchin - to accommodate the former Suns captain, who was keenly sought by Collingwood and Hawthorn until Richmond won the race.
Lynch was paid more than $1 million this year at the Suns, meaning that he will take a substantial pay cut in his first year at Richmond.
While Gold Coast can match the seven-year term and force the Tigers into a trade, this possibility can be ruled out. The Suns will accept the compensation of pick No. 3, which could be used on either Izak Rankine or fellow South Australian Jack Lokosius or another highly rated teen in the draft pool.
The Suns will have picks two and three, potentially giving them access to Lukosius and Rankine or the King brothers, Max and Ben.
The seven-year deal for Lynch, who turns 26 at the end of this month, matches the length of term that champion Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin secured last year when he was a free agent, although Martin's wage is significantly higher at close to $1.2 million a season.
The long term allows the Tigers to spread out the payments, thus retaining key players. Reece Conca has already signed to switch to Fremantle as a free agent. Corey Ellis and Anthony Miles are set to join the Suns and Tyson Stengle wants to join Adelaide. Jacob Townsend's position is up in the air.
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