Tom Lynch will play for Richmond in 2019 and beyond after choosing Tigers as new home
FORMER Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch will be wearing yellow and black in 2019 and beyond after choosing Richmond as his new club over both Collingwood and Hawthorn. His reasons for choosing the Tigers revealed.
Trade HQ
Don't miss out on the headlines from Trade HQ. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RICHMOND has won the race to secure prized free agent Tom Lynch in a massive boost to the Tigers’ premiership prospects.
The Gold Coast captain and star key forward has confirmed he will formally nominate the Tigers when the free agency period opens on Friday.
The Suns have until October 15 to consider matching Richmond’s bid, but will instead accept pick No.3 in this year’s draft as compensation for Lynch’s departure.
GRAND FINAL: KEY PIES WENT MISSING WHEN IT MATTERED
MARK ROBINSON: MAYHEM BEFORE SHEED’S BIG MOMENT
LEIGH MATTHEWS: MAYNARD SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED FREE KICK
His signature is a huge coup for the Tigers who have been crowned next year’s outright $5 premiership favourite with TAB, ahead of Melbourne ($7) and Collingwood ($8).
This year’s premier West Coast is sixth favourite ($11) to go back-to-back next season after toppling the Pies by five points in Saturday’s thrilling decider.
Lynch, 25, strongly considered offers from Collingwood and Hawthorn, but was drawn to the team culture and strong leadership at Punt Rd.
The Herald Sun understands the opportunity to partner Jack Riewoldt as part of a bolstered forward line next season was also a key factor in the decision.
Lynch wants to learn from the three-time Coleman Medalist to help refine his forward craft after two injury-affected seasons at the Suns.
Gold Coast released a statement on Tuesday morning confirming the news.
“The Gold Coast Suns wish to confirm that Tom Lynch has informed the club of his desire to join the Richmond Football Club as a restricted free agent,” the club said in a statement.
“Once the AFL free agency period has commenced Richmond will lodge Lynch’s contract with the AFL. The Suns will then be provided details of the contract and will have three days to determine if it intends to match the offer to Lynch or release him to the Tigers.
“Should the club choose to match Richmond’s offer, Lynch has the option to either fulfil the contract with the Suns, or alternatively enter the draft.
“The club is not in a position to make further comment until the club is provided the details of Richmond’s contract offer to Lynch.”
The Tigers have been chasing the All-Australian through his managers, Robbie D’Orazio and Paul Connors from Connors Sports, for more than 18 months, believing his character strengths, contested marking skills and work ethic are a perfect fit at Punt Rd.
FREE AGENT: WILL PREMIERSHIP SWAY GAFF’S DECISION?
PIES RUNNER: ‘I’M FEELING A LOT OF GUILT’
BAD START: WHY COLLINGWOOD’S BANNER FELL APART
But Lynch has taken his time to make a decision on his future in recent months after meeting with the three clubs following season-ending surgery.
The Suns’ four-time leading goal kicker and dual best-and-fairest is set to sign a lucrative deal with Richmond in excess of six years.
But the Blairgowrie product will face a cautious start to preseason training as he recovers from surgery in July on his posterior cruciate ligament.
The Tigers are confident he will make a full recovery and work towards realising his immense potential as one of footy’s most talented and dominant key forwards.
His marking power is certain to bolster Damien Hardwick’s scoring capacity as part of a taller, twin tower forward structure next season.
The Tigers stormed to the 2017 flag on the back of its relentless tackling pressure and speedy small forwards.
But Lynch’s arrival will help give superstar midfielders Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin another dynamic marking target in the forward half.
The 199cm Lynch was dubbed the No. 1 player in the game by Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton after a stunning breakout campaign in 2016, booting 66 goals to finish fourth in the Coleman Medal.
Brereton said: “Lynch is extraordinary.”
“He took the most contested marks last year (2016) in a team which was in the bottom-four and they kicked it into the forward line like puff bags, they were hopeless.
“He works the hardest out of every key forward, he has the best hands. He is a bit robotic in his kicking nature but he runs hard, works hard, he’s aggressive and just marks anything above head height in his area.”
Originally published as Tom Lynch will play for Richmond in 2019 and beyond after choosing Tigers as new home