Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch won’t walk out on Suns during this year’s trade period

HE’LL be the most sought after player by Victorian clubs in this year’s trade period, but Tom Lynch has made it clear what his intentions are for 2018.

Tom Lynch is set to stay at Gold Coast. Picture: Michael Klein

GOLD Coast spearhead Tom Lynch has knocked back overtures to make an early move home to Victoria in next month’s trade period.

Lynch, 25 next month, is poised to become the most wanted man in the game next season as clubs prepare offers to the superstar free agent.

Clubs including Richmond were keen to pull off a deal for Lynch next month in what would have been a massive boost to its forward stocks.

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The Tigers have two first-round draft picks to help strike a trade, while Collingwood was also a suitor for the 121-gamer.

But the Sorrento product has advised the Suns and his agent, Robbie D’Orazio from Connors Sports, he remained fully committed to leading Gold Coast in the final year of his contract in 2018.

It means no trades will be done next month, but his long-term future is still uncertain.

The Suns are desperate to secure Lynch to a long-term contract after losing some of their most important players in recent years, including Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia.

They will also likely lose former captain Gary ­Ablett.

Tom Lynch is committed to leading the Suns in the final year of his contract. Picture: Getty Images

Lynch, who became co-captain this season, battled injury and wants to capture career-best form under a new coach.

He has not played a Friday night game or final in his first seven years at the Suns.

Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton this year called him the No.1 player in the game.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has raised the prospect of making Lynch an AFL ambassador in Queensland if he re-signs.

It could help make him up to another $50,000-$100,000 a year on top of his Suns salary.

But Lynch will likely put off a decision until late next season as he focuses on reviving the club after another terrible year in which it finished second last with only six wins.

Lynch said this week he was excited about the challenge facing Gold Coast next year.

“I actually haven’t thought about it because we don’t have a coach at the moment, so I think that’s first and foremost for a footy club — they’ll be sorting that out,” Lynch said.

“As a club and as a playing group, we were really disappointed with our year.

“Obviously it’s not the standards we set or any club sets, to be honest.

“We’ll obviously get a new coach — that’ll be an exciting time, a fresh start and looking forward to next year and seeing what happens.”

Originally published as Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch won’t walk out on Suns during this year’s trade period