Tom Lynch may have played his last game for the Gold Coast after being ruled out for the rest of the season
THE hottest free agent in the AFL, Tom Lynch, will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. What does that mean for his future and should any clubs trying to recruit him be worried?
Gold Coast
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GOLD Coast captain Tom Lynch may have played his last game for the Suns after being ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
The out-of-contract key forward is being heavily pursued by a number of powerhouse Melbourne-based clubs headed by Collingwood, Richmond and Hawthorn, and he will weigh up his future after surgery to fix the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury that has dogged him for most of 2018.
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“Obviously there is going to be commentary around my contract with the news of me being ruled out for the rest of the season, I’m realistic to understand that,” Lynch said.
“Throughout the season and now, I’ve just been thinking about the knee and what’s best for the knee. Post-surgery I’m sure the time will come where I’ll sit down with my manager and work through what the best option going forward is.
“Clearly, I’ve got a decision to make on my future, but the reality is I haven’t made that decision.”
Lynch will command a long-term, multimillion-dollar contract with a bumper seven-figure yearly wage regardless of which club he chooses.
With the Suns struggling yet again and Lynch having never played in a final in his time at the Gold Coast, who drafted him at pick No. 11 in 2010, the Magpies, Tigers and Hawks are looming large.
Lynch missed four matches earlier in the season and had been doing his best to manage the knee issue, which is part of the reason why he has been limited to 20 goals in 10 games.
But medical experts advised the Suns that the best option for Lynch was to go under the knife.
“It’s really disappointing to know that I’m going to have to have surgery and not play out the season,” Lynch said.
“I missed four games early in the year and tried to come back and play and the knee hasn’t improved.
“I’ve been doing all I can to rehab the injury without requiring surgery. That has meant I haven’t been able to get out there and train with the team during the week like you normally would.
“We’ve been assessing my knee weekly and the latest advice recommends surgery, and I’ll get that done as soon as possible.”
Suns football boss Jon Haines said the club had been in ongoing discussions with Lynch’s management.
“We understand the landscape that we are in and we understand the nature of free agency, so we’ve been dealing with that in a really mature, professional fashion throughout the year and we’ll continue that,’’ Haines said.
“We’ve been in regular contact (with Lynch’s management) and obviously speaking regularly to Tom as well.
“We’ll just maintain the plan that we’ve got and maintain the communication and work though it in a professional manner, and hopefully get an outcome that everyone is happy with.’’
Haines said Lynch had battled through the injury manfully for as long as he could.
“Tom has displayed terrific leadership and great character to manage the issue to this point,” Haines said.
“We have always been of the view that Tom’s personal wellbeing is our No. 1 priority and following detailed consultation with Tom, the club doctor and the relevant specialists, we have all agreed that surgery to repair his PCL is the most appropriate decision.
“Surgery means Tom will not be able to play for somewhere between four to six months. Post-surgery we will do all we can to ensure he recovers fully from the operation.”
The Suns will be without Lynch, Sam Day (shoulder), Jack Leslie (omitted) and Callum Ah Chee (personal reasons) for the match-up with Collingwood at Metricon Stadium tomorrow night (SAT).
Steve May, Brayden Crossley, Rory Thompson and debutant Will Powell come into the side.
Meanwhile, Brisbane have welcomed back Daniel McStay and Mitch Robinson from injury for Sunday’s clash with Fremantle.
McStay (shin) missed last week’s loss to GWS but has been named at fullback to replace vice-captain Harris Andrews.
Brisbane have also named key defender Jack Frost on an extended interchange bench as extra cover for the backline.
Robinson (broken toe) missed two games.
Brisbane omitted Sam Mayes and Zac Bailey while they also added Ryan Bastinac, Jacob Allison, Jake Barrett and Mitch Hinge to an extended bench.
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Originally published as Tom Lynch may have played his last game for the Gold Coast after being ruled out for the rest of the season