Tom Lynch set to become most sought-after free agent in game next season

GOLD COAST spearhead Tom Lynch is poised to become the most sought-after player in the game next season with Victorian clubs ramping up the chase for his signature.

Tom Lynch will be hot property next season.

GOLD COAST spearhead Tom Lynch is poised to become the most sought-after player in the game next season with Victorian clubs ramping up the chase for his signature.

The Herald Sun can reveal clubs are registering their interest in the Suns’ co-captain in a bid to poach the superstar goalkicker under free agency next season.

Lynch, 24, is contracted until the end of 2018, but will likely wait to assess the direction of the club over the first half of next season before considering his future.

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It means the Suns are set to face a nervous wait to retain their most important asset.

Labelled the No.1 player in the game by Brisbane champion Jonathan Brown and Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton, Lynch could command the biggest offer in the game’s history to return home to Victoria next year.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and Richmond coach Damien Hardwick have both said their clubs need to bolster their key position stocks.

Tom Lynch is one of the game’s best young stars.

Sources told the Herald Sun Lynch is worth in excess of $1.5 million a year on the open market, incorporating a 20 per cent boost to the AFL’s salary cap this year.

The 199cm strong-marking forward, from Sorrento, has averaged 15 disposals, six marks and 2.3 goals a game this year. He is eighth in the Coleman Medal with 44 goals.

Brereton in February said Lynch was an “extraordinary” player.

“(Lynch) is the best player in the comp,” Brereton said.

“If you gave me an open chequebook and said start a club, who do you want to buy first? Tom Lynch is my number one target. Bar none … the best player at your club to build around, it is Tom Lynch.”

A long-term deal could trump the mega offers which snared Sydney’s Lance Franklin (nine years) and Western Bulldogs’ premiership big man Tom Boyd (six years).

Gold Coast co-captains Steven May and Tom Lynch.

Lynch has not played finals in his seven-year career and remains determined to help resurrect the besieged club next season alongside re-signed co-captain Steven May.

But the Herald Sun understands another poor year and more upheaval at the club next season could leave Lynch vulnerable to approaches to move home.

He has played in 34 wins, 86 losses and 1 draw in 121 senior games.

Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans is in the final stages of an exhaustive review which is tipped to trigger sweeping changes in the coaching staff and football department.

Senior coach Rodney Eade is awaiting his fate with three games remaining in the season.

Under Evans, the Suns are determined to create a strong and successful playing culture designed to finally put an end to the string of player departures from the Queensland club.

Former captain Gary Ablett will leave the Suns for Geelong or retire at season’s end.

Brisbane has made significant headway in its revival under first-year senior coach Chris Fagan, new football boss David Noble and list chief Dom Ambrogio this year.

Originally published as Tom Lynch set to become most sought-after free agent in game next season