Richmond track watch: Tom Lynch stumbles off after copping heavy hit during match sim

Richmond fans look away now! Star forward Tom Lynch has stumbled off the track during match sim on Friday – and he wasn’t happy. See the vision and get the latest intel.

Richmond star Tom Lynch was taken from match simulation after a heavy knock in a contest on Friday.

Lynch appeared dizzy and stumbled walking off the field after a marking contest.

The star forward was lined up against Jacob Koschitzke and was bending down to contest a loose footy.

Lynch was immediately taken from the ground and play resumed.

The 32-year-old has endured a wretched run with injury, playing just four games in each of the past two seasons.

Richmond play Carlton in round 1 on March 13, giving Lynch six weeks to return to training before focusing on the opening match of the season.

There were also concerns for Jacob Blight, who tried to push off Thomas Sims and went down grasping his shoulder.

Tom Lynch wasn’t happy after the hit. Picture: Matthew Forrest

He stumbled off as support arrived. Picture: Matthew Forrest

He grimaced in pain and did not move for some time, before trainers rushed to his aid and helped him from the field.

Blight finished the third quarter on the bench, clutching his right shoulder, and did not reappear.

He was often twisting and stretching his arm, clearly in discomfort, as he watched the final proceedings from the dugout.

Sam Lalor. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

NO.1 MIDFIELD MIX?

Sam Lalor was a notable inclusion in Richmond’s first-choice midfield, lining up alongside Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto and Jack Ross at centre bounces.

The No.1 draftee provided a highlight early in the second quarter, ripping the loose ball from the contest and slamming it on the boot to get it moving forward.

While Taranto spent time at the stoppages, he was mostly stationed up forward, while Lalor floated forward in the second half as well.

Thomson Dow was prominent for the weaker midfield group, interestingly lining up alongside Maurice Rioli for several centre bounces.

Rioli was limited in his exposure during the match simulation, missing a chunk of the second half as the club manages his work load.

But his inclusion added some intrigue and flair into the group, looking lively around the contest.

Toby Nankervis and Samson Ryan duelled in the air, with the skipper too strong in the contest and providing the black team with first use out of the stoppages.

Jacob Koschitzke. Picture: Michael Klein

BEST 22 INDICATIONS

While there was a clear split between the two squads in strength, the Tigers ran the stronger defenders against the stronger forwards.

Jacob Koschitzke looks set to revive his career in defence, lining up on Tom Lynch before he suffered his suspected concussion.

He did not look out of place, providing a contest and showing why he was regarded as a top defensive prospect during his under-18s career that included an All Australian selection at centre half back.

Jayden Short was the prime ball mover off half back for the stronger side, while Tom Brown was a significant distributor for the weaker unit.

Brown broke into the senior side last season, playing 18 of his 19 career games in 2024, but his selection in the weaker defensive unit was surprising.

The fight for Lynch’s partner in attack continued on, with Thomas Sims on the weaker forward unit, while Jonty Faull and Harry Armstrong appeared limited in match simulation work.

Mykelti Lefau is one of several players on the mend from respective ACL injuries, and while he won’t be fit for the start of the season he is expected to challenge for a key post up forward on his return.

Dion Prestia. Picture: Getty Images

UNSIGHTED TIGERS

Dion Prestia was limited to running laps during the match simulation, with the club cautious about the veteran’s workload.

Prestia has struggled to stay healthy in previous seasons, with several soft tissue injuries keeping him to just 13 games in 2024 and has missed games in every year since 2019.

He played the first third of the match simulation and has completed training consistently throughout the summer, but the club is taking a “managed approach” with the veteran according to assistant coach Steve Morris.

“He completed a fair bit of the training before Christmas, really stood out in some match play we did prior to Christmas,”

“We’re taking a managed approach with him, and making sure he’s on the park when it really counts.

“He’s put a really good block of training in.”

Nick Vlastuin also ran laps by himself, while draftees Josh Smillie, Taj Hotton, Jonty Faull, Luke Trainor, Jasper Alger and Harry Armstrong did not participate in the full session.

Hotton continues to progress from the ACL injury he suffered during his draft campaign, while Smillie and Alger suffered injury scares earlier in the week.

Smillie suffered a minor hamstring injury and Alger had a knee scare after a hyperextension, but both are considered in the frame to play against West Coast in the practice match on February 17.