How Lynch got his smile backEliza Reilly and Murray Wenzel,
Gold Coast Bulletin
22 Jan 2019TOM Lynch has returned to the Gold Coast but it was his exit which seems to have rediscovered his smile.
Old wounds were opened at Bond University yesterday when the former Suns skipper set foot on a Coast footy field wearing black and gold for the first time.
The 26-year-old left a sour taste with many Suns AFL fans in August when announcing his free agency switch to heavyweights Richmond for 2019.
With the Tigers’ pre-season training camp on the Gold Coast running until Friday, supporters of both his past and present clubs yesterday got the chance to catch up with the key forward.
Continuing his rehab from knee surgery, Lynch was restricted to agility and close-range kicking and marking drills on a warm morning at Bond University, the Suns’ home base during last year’s Commonwealth Games.
However it was enough to convince Gold Coast-based Queensland Richmond Supporter’s Group president Dylan Leach that we will see a more positive Lynch this season.
“He was running laps but he was smiling and looked happier then when he was playing for the Gold Coast,” he said.
“He was a fine player for the Gold Coast Suns and if he can get back to his prime, he’ll be a great addition to Richmond.”
Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin expressed his excitement over getting the star recruit back at full training.
“He’s travelling along nicely at the moment and only a matter of time when he’s out there with the whole group,” Cotchin said.
“We’ve seen in previous seasons how good he can be as a player and a person and that’s what we’re most excited about.”
Though there remains some lasting dissatisfaction.
Suns fan Shane Gallihir was among those who yesterday tipped Lynch to receive a hostile reception when he faces his old side in July.
“He showed his character and deserves the boos when he returns to Metricon,” he posted in a Suns’ fan Facebook page.
Gold Coast supporter Tracey Clay believes Lynch shouldn’t have left the struggling AFL side.
“I have moved on but personally I was extremely disappointed he chose to leave,” she wrote.
“He was our co-captain and the Suns invested heavily in him.
“You don’t see many captains walk out of their clubs.”
The Tigers’ playing group ran some skill based drills before launching into match simulation.
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/afl/how-suns-fallen-golden-boy-rediscovered-his-smile/news-story/d1d13aeb2cb99a4cbb1b53a4df00fbee