Tom Lynch confident of playing next week as Trent Cotchin backs recruit to know his body

Richmond forward Tom Lynch is confident of playing next week but the question remains where that might be. But skipper Trent Cotchin is backing in his new star recruit.

Trent Cotchin says Tom Lynch continues to make significant progress in his bid to play in Round 1 after a strong session of contested work last weekend.

The Tigers believe their star recruit is ready to play in Round 1 but there is still some uncertainty because of his lack of official match practice.

On Friday night Lynch, speaking at the Tigers’ season launch, told fans he was confident of taking the field next week.

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“I think I’ll play either VFL or AFL next week,” he said.

“But I’m fine to play now, so it’ll just come down to whether Dimma (coach Damien Hardwick) wants me to go through the twos or go through the seniors.

“I feel fit and confident that my knee is fine.”

Lynch has looked hesitant at times with his running style after PCL surgery but Cotchin says that “proppy” running style is understandable.

Cotchin is still in the dark about Lynch’s Round 1 prospects but says while the Tigers won their second JLT clash against Hawthorn, Lynch got to work back in Melbourne.

Trent Cotchin and his Tigers are chasing this. Picture: Mark Stewart

Tom Lynch is getting closer playing. Picture: Sarah Matray

“He is joining in a fair bit of training at the moment. With the injury he’s had he’s always going to look a little proppy and he knows within himself whether he is right or not,” he said.

“I don’t think there have been any lines ruled through him yet with coaches and people with more power than me will have a decision on whether he plays Thursday night or not.

“He’s feeling really good. He had a fantastic session while we were down in Tassie.

“A lot of contested stuff and he’s a big strong boy and it’s just a matter of him feeling right and the medicos and coaches feeling like it’s the right time for him.”

Dimma has already said Lynch is like Buddy. You don’t play a star like that in the VFL. Would indicate he plays Round 1 unless something has changed dramatically https://t.co/zBK2WUzi0W

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) March 15, 2019

The Tigers will train at Punt Road again on Sunday in the lead-in to their Thursday night clash with Carlton and Lynch would need to prove himself in that session.

The Tigers seem likely to play stalwart ruckman Toby Nankervis without backup Ivan Soldo, with Cotchin thankful he isn’t on the club’s selection committee.

“I have no interest in being a coach. It’s a different look no matter which way you go. Do you go with the youth in Noah Balta or (Ivan) Soldo as a bigger ruckman. It will be an interesting one to see where the coaches take that.”