Tom Lynch will play for Richmond in 2019 and beyond after choosing Tigers as new homeJay Clark,
Herald Sun
October 1, 2018 RICHMOND has won the race to secure prized free agent Tom Lynch in a massive boost to the Tigers’ premiership prospects.
The Gold Coast captain and star key forward will this week confirm he will formally nominate the Tigers when the free agency period opens on Friday.
The Suns have until October 15 to consider matching Richmond’s bid, but will instead accept pick No.3 in this year’s draft as compensation for Lynch’s departure.
His signature is a huge coup for the Tigers who have been crowned next year’s outright $5 premiership favourite with TAB, ahead of Melbourne ($7) and Collingwood ($8).
This year’s premier West Coast is sixth favourite ($11) to go back-to-back next season after toppling the Pies by five points in Saturday’s thrilling decider.
Lynch, 25, strongly considered offers from Collingwood and Hawthorn, but was drawn to the team culture and strong leadership at Punt Rd.
The Herald Sun understands the opportunity to partner Jack Riewoldt as part of a bolstered forward line next season was also a key factor in the decision.
Lynch wants to learn from the three-time Coleman Medalist to help refine his forward craft after two injury-affected seasons at the Suns.
The Tigers have been chasing the All-Australian through his managers, Robbie D’Orazio and Paul Connors from Connors Sports, for more than 18 months, believing his character strengths, contested marking skills and work ethic are a perfect fit at Punt Rd.
But Lynch has taken his time to make a decision on his future in recent months after meeting with the three clubs following season-ending surgery.
The Suns’ four-time leading goal kicker and dual best-and-fairest is set to sign a lucrative deal with Richmond in excess of six years.
But the Blairgowrie product will face a cautious start to preseason training as he recovers from surgery in July on his posterior cruciate ligament.
The Tigers are confident he will make a full recovery and work towards realising his immense potential as one of footy’s most talented and dominant key forwards.
His marking power is certain to bolster Damien Hardwick’s scoring capacity as part of a taller, twin tower forward structure next season.
The Tigers stormed to the 2017 flag on the back of its relentless tackling pressure and speedy small forwards.
But Lynch’s arrival will help give superstar midfielders Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin another dynamic marking target in the forward half.
The 199cm Lynch was dubbed the No. 1 player in the game by Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton after a stunning breakout campaign in 2016, booting 66 goals to finish fourth in the Coleman Medal.
Brereton said: “Lynch is extraordinary.”
“He took the most contested marks last year (2016) in a team which was in the bottom-four and they kicked it into the forward line like puff bags, they were hopeless.
“He works the hardest out of every key forward, he has the best hands. He is a bit robotic in his kicking nature but he runs hard, works hard, he’s aggressive and just marks anything above head height in his area.”
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tom-lynch-will-play-for-richmond-in-2019-and-beyond-after-choosing-tigers-as-new-home/news-story/eb468bfaa3d460a7eab1bfd81245bad5
