Shock play for $1.5m star revealed; frontrunner emerges for wounded Dog

A dual premiership Tiger could be set for a shock cross-town trade to a Melbourne powerhouse as two clubs chase him down.

Tom Lynch and Bailey Smith

A dual premiership Tiger could be set for a third home if one of two Melbourne powerhouse clubs get their way.

And a move even further out west for a star Bulldog only continues to firm with time.

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TWO-TIME PREMIERSHIP TIGER TIPPED AS A POTENTIAL MOVER

Former Gold Coast Sun and dual Richmond premiership player Tom Lynch has been flagged as a potential recruit for two Victorian clubs desperate to add another key tall to their stocks while they remain in the premiership window.

Having played just eight games since the end of the 2022 season, the 31-year-old has struggled with both hamstring and foot injuries for multiple seasons now; a real shame considering his 63 goals from just 19 matches in 2022.

Speaking on Channel 9’s The Sunday Footy Show, Damien Barrett believed that both Collingwood and Melbourne will be taking a close look at gaining Lynch’s services next season, as they battle with their own forward line struggles

Out of contract at Punt Road come the end of next year, Lynch could well be looking to get the most out of his football with uncertainty lingering around his ability to stay on the park.

The Tiger could be moving down the road. Pic: Michael Klein

“I believe that Tom Lynch will be a person of interest for both Collingwood and Melbourne, (or) at least in consideration – they are both on record now of needing a key forward for next year,” Barrett said on Sunday morning.

“I feel that he’s going to be of interest; what does become an impostor is a $1.5 million price tag on his attached price tag on his attached contract the next year … They wouldn’t have to give up much, I think taking as much of the salary will be reason enough.”

When asked as to whether the Magpies would be able to provide him his pay cheque, Barrett did pose money as a hurdle for Craig McRae’s club if they were to try and recruit him.

“No, they couldn’t they’ve need to figure a way to pay that – again, both clubs are on the record already since the completion of their season’s Friday night (that) they want key forwards to be with them next year – (and) established ones,” added Barrett.

Lynch, who has so far managed 220 AFL games since his debut, is one of seven inaugural Gold Coast Suns players still on an AFL playing list since their year of inception in 2011.

The 2016 All-Australian moved across to Richmond at the end of 2018, where he went on to win two premierships in his first two years in the yellow and black.

BULLDOGS STAR’S MOVE FURTHER WEST FIRMS

Speculation around the future of Bailey Smith continues to hold steady as the Western Bulldogs star remains unsigned – but a recent report has reaffirmed the initial beliefs of many.

Smith move getting closer. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Originally linked with a move to one of Collingwood or Geelong in the early stages of this year, the door seems to have shut on the Magpies and opened ever so slightly for Hawthorn in recent months.

But firmly leading the race for the 23-year-old remains Geelong.

As emphasised by The Age’s Jake Niall on Sunday morning, all roads lead to Smith heading down the highway to continue his career in 2025.

Niall highlighted factors including (but not limited to) Smith’s ACL injury, Hawthorn’s already active involvement within trade circles this upcoming off-season and simply put, Geelong’s need for the midfielder more than the Bulldogs and Hawks will play a dominant role in his assumed move to the Cattery.

Sam Mitchell’s Hawks have been linked to Tom Barrass, Josh Battle and Harry Perryman this off-season – and with their priorities seemingly lying with the two defenders, it’s hard to see the brown and gold really push for Smith’s services.

And in addition, Geelong’s historically premium club culture bodes well to a player of Smith’s public personality and role model status.

Also a Cotton On ambassador, the link between his own close ties with the brand and that of Geelong cannot be underestimated.

With the Bulldogs now locked in for some September action, an announcement on Smith’s future is highly unlikely to come at least until the end of their finals campaign – but as many have believed for months now, Chris Scott looks primed to welcome the four-time 22 Under 22 player.

Originally published as Shock play for $1.5m star revealed; frontrunner emerges for wounded Dog