Adelaide star Tom Lynch has spoken out against the suburban football violence
TOM Lynch has called out the on-field violence that has led to a suburban footballer copping a lifetime ban and a team booted from finals as Daniel Talia joins the list of Crows ending the season early by booking in for surgery.
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ADELAIDE star Tom Lynch has spoken out against the suburban football violence that saw a club axed from the Adelaide Football League finals and its captain banned for life.
Salisbury West’s Adam Jones was suspended on Wednesday for 27 weeks over multiple offences. Jones’ ban surpassed the collective 12 games that triggers life exclusion.
Jones was found guilty of striking, kicking and undue rough play across four incidents in a final against Trinity Old Scholars, resulting in the club being turfed for the rest of the season.
“It is disappointing incidents like that. If you are banned for 27 weeks you have done something wrong. You don’t want to go out on the footy field and feel like you are hurt to that severity,” said Lynch.
“There are players out there willing to do that but good on the association for stepping in and stamping that out. You want to go out there and have fun and play with your mates.
“You should’t have to be going out and dealing with stuff.”
Meanwhile Lynch says the Crows won’t be giving out cheap jumpers despite the dead-rubber status of Saturday night’s clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium.
Adelaide, out of the finals race, must replace defender Tom Doedee who has had surgery on his collarbone. Skipper Taylor Walker, who has had foot surgery, and Kyle Hartigan, knee, are already out for the season, with Daniel Talia joining the list on Thursday to get reconstructive surgery on his left thumb.
Halfback Brodie Smith (calf) must pass fitness a test to play
Crows head of football Brett Burton said Talia’s surgery would have no impact on his pre-season program with the defender also battling a calf injury in recent weeks.
“Daniel has had issues with his thumb for much of the season and managed the injury accordingly,” he said.
“It makes sense to have the procedure done now so his preseason is not affected.”
Big forward Elliott Himmelberg, ruckman Paul Hunter, slick forward Ben Davis and Ben Jarman are coveting AFL debuts but Lynch doesn’t expect too much selection upheaval.
“We don’t want to give guys games for the sake of it. You have to earn it. On the weekend we had some really strong contributors for the club,” said Lynch.
“It has always been difficult for spots at the club and we want to continue that.
“I wouldn’t have thought there would be too many changes.
“We have played a number of guys this year and rewarded form. Patrick Wilson has had a super year. Elliott Himmelberg has been in great form, Benny Davis, Ben Jarman the boys have been playing fantastic footy and Cam Ellis-Yolmen had a great game last weekend.
“The wrong time of year we are starting to get healthy and starting to have some strong contributors.”