Mates, family kept Tom Lynch in Adelaide, but will Rory Sloane follow suit
ADELAIDE forward Tom Lynch says his determination to play with his Crows mates and his family ties won out over a desire to be paid as much as $700,000 a season as Adelaide turns its attention to retaining Rory Sloane.
Crows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crows. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ADELAIDE forward Tom Lynch’s determination to play with his Crows mates has won out over a desire to be paid as much as $700,000 a season.
The Crows had their first major victory of 2018 in signing Lynch on a three-year deal, only a day after publicly breaking ties with Collective Minds.
Lynch had been chased by Melbourne clubs including St Kilda, with the Crows refusing to offer market rates for the 27-year-old.
The Herald Sun understands that while Adelaide made some ground on an initial offer just over $1.5 million a year, it was not a significant lift in price.
Instead his overriding desire to stay with his mates and stay at a club capable of premiership football kept him in Adelaide.
LYNCH CLINCH: CROWS GET THEIR MAN
CORNES: SHOULD THE CROWS HAVE LET LYNCH LEAVE?
The Crows will believe their decision to admit the flaws of their pre-season camp might be a circuit breaker for their horror season.
A winning end to the year would not only lift morale, it would help their chances of retaining contracted forward Mitch McGovern.
Free agent Rory Sloane (foot) is set to return against West Coast next weekend in his first game back since Round 4.
Adelaide was brimming with optimism Sloane would stay at the Crows early in the year but those hopes have faded given his refusal to commit so far.
McGovern signed a lucrative deal with the club last year, his concerns based on issues other than his finances.
Lynch’s family ties helped secure him, with his fiance recently giving birth to their third child.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club since arriving here at the end of 2011 and am excited to continue to call Adelaide home,” Lynch said.
“I’ve made some lifelong friends since then and every day I’m surrounded by a committed playing and coaching group who are always trying to get better.”
The Collective Minds organisation was staunchly defended by ex-Adelaide defender Jake Lever yesterday.
The Crows have been pilloried for their power stance before finals last year but he said it was an example of their focus on mental strength.
“I thought they were fantastic in terms of some of the stuff they were able to do in terms of focus and footballing stuff, the mental side of the game is such an untapped thing at the minute,’’ he told Seven.
CULTURE SHOCK: HOW THE CROWS’ CAMP CROSSED THE LINE
“For them to come in was helpful. They were the reason behind the power stance in the finals, that was based on Ronaldo.
“Before he takes a penalty or free kick he “power stances” himself to get into that position where he is focused and ready to kick.
“You might not like the power stance but it gets you quite focused instead of linking arms for the national anthem.”
Originally published as Mates, family kept Tom Lynch in Adelaide, but will Rory Sloane follow suit
Best 23 locked in? Crows unleash four-headed monster
If what we saw from Adelaide’s forward line on Friday is a sign of things to come, opposition defenders are officially on notice. Get all the intel as the Crows reveal more about their best side.
Is Ricciuto’s future tied to Crows landing footy great?
After multiple attempts to lure one of footy’s most respected minds to the West Lakes, the future of Mark Ricciuto at the Crows could play a factor in discussions.