Set-up man Tom Lynch looms as Adelaide’s key weapon in bid to break through Eagles’ watertight defence
HE is the Crows’ “Connector”. And while Tom Lynch doesn’t have the high profile of fellow forwards Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts he looms as arguably Adelaide’s most important attacking weapon.
HE is the Crows’ “Connector”.
And while Tom Lynch doesn’t have the high profile of fellow forwards Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts he looms as arguably Adelaide’s most important attacking weapon in Sunday’s Adelaide Oval blockbuster against West Coast.
Exclusive Champion Data heat maps show just how far and wide Lynch roams to create goalkicking opportunities for his quartet of regular forward line partners — captain Walker, pocket rocket Betts, tall Josh Jenkins and pacy small Charlie Cameron.
Thirty-eight per cent of the mobile Lynch’s disposals are won in the defensive half of the ground. And his hot spot — where he gets most of his possessions — is 35 to 75 metres from goal, illustrating why he is such a dangerous setup man.
In contrast, the heat maps show Adelaide’s other four main forwards prefer to hover close to goal.
Betts leads the Crows’ goalkicking with 52 — one ahead of key forward Walker.
Jenkins, who offers Sam Jacobs ruck support, has booted 35 goals while Cameron has 25 in a breakout season.
Lynch also has 25 but he has become more renowned for his ability to set up scores for his team than his finishing skills.
The 24-year-old former Saint leads the AFL in goal assists (26) and scoring assists (41). He also is tied for the most marks at Adelaide (136) with Walker.
Lynch’s average of 364 metres gained per game is number one for Crows’ forwards.
Only Carlton’s Tom Bell (412), GWS’s Devon Smith (398), Hawthorn’s Matt Suckling (380) and Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard (374) have averaged more metres among players deemed by Champion Data to have spent most of their time in attack.
“He’s been critical — a real connector between our midfield and forward line,’’ Adelaide caretaker coach Scott Camporeale noted of the out-of-contract Lynch, who is being wooed by Melbourne.
“He brings something different, he’s a hard match-up because he’s tall (191cm) but he can run, so he’s a real strength of ours.’’
That strength will be needed more than ever against the second-placed Eagles.
West Coast has been lauded for its high-octane attack but it is more than a one-trick pony.
While Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy (71 goals), Mark LeCras (35), Josh Hill (34), Jamie Cripps (29) and Jack Darling (21) have formed a lethal attacking partnership the untold story of the Eagles’ rise from finals underdog to second flag favourite has been their watertight defence.
Season or career ending injuries to key backmen Eric Mackenzie, Beau Waters and Mitchell Brown, looked to have ripped West Coast’s back half to shreds.
But while the Eagles’ back six might not be full of household names they are effective.
West Coast has, statistically, the second-most miserly defence in the competition.
It is conceding an average of just 70.8 points a game — 1.4 points behind defensive powerhouse Fremantle (69.4).
The Eagles have nullified their opponents through elite defensive pressure.
But they also guard space so well in the back half — former great Gerard Healy refers to it as the “Weagles Web’’ – that the names aren’t the be-all and end-all.
West Coast has four defenders who rank in the elite category for intercept marks — Jeremy McGovern (average 3.7), Brad Sheppard (2.0) and Sharrod Wellingham and Shannon Hurn (1.8).
Lynch’s unique role in picking apart the web could decide the Crows’ finals hopes.
