Rival clubs watching Adelaide Crows contract negotiations with forward Tom Lynch

ADELAIDE’S contract dealings with Tom Lynch could expose the influential forward to rival poachers as the two camps open negotiations with different opinions on the star forward’s worth.

Tom Lynch of the Crows in action.

ADELAIDE’S contract dealings with Tom Lynch could expose the influential forward to rival poachers.

The Herald Sun has learned both parties have different opinions on what Lynch is worth as the Victorian prepares to return from illness against former side St Kilda on Saturday night.

It’s understood the length of the deal, as well as money, are the sticking points.

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The situation, while not ideal for either camp, is countered by the fact it’s only Round 3 and Lynch is yet to play this season after a side strain and a virus kept him out of the opening two games.

The 27-year-old has also made his career at Adelaide, which got a steal in 2012 when the Saints let the former No. 13 draft pick go after three years in exchange for pick 37.

But after losing Jake Lever to Melbourne in the off-season for a better contract offer — and the go-home factor — Lynch’s future remains a watching brief in Adelaide and across the competition.

The Crows are also busy negotiating a new deal for star midfielder Rory Sloane, having last month tied All-Australian defender Rory Laird to a three-year extension.

Sources said a Lynch-Adelaide agreement, while not miles away on paper, is some time away from being formalised.

Adelaide and Tom Lynch’s management have differing views about the forward’s value.

Reports in February that the Crows were “low-balling” Lynch — an accusation that surfaced during the Lever negotiations — appear overblown.

“All I would say is that it is laughable what gets put around in the media about different contracts and different players at different times of the year,” Crows powerbroker Mark Ricciuto said on Adelaide radio in February.

“It is laughable when you actually know what is going on.”

Yet for now, the man many consider the most important player in coach Don Pyke’s offensive system is in limbo and the subject of interest at a swag of clubs.

Lynch, 27, averaged a personal-best 21 disposals and seven marks last year, while also kicking 30 or more goals for the fourth time in his career to earn a second consecutive All-Australian nomination.

A hard-running conduit between the Crows’ midfield and a star-studded attack featuring Eddie Betts, Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins and Mitch McGovern, Lynch arguably plays the role better than anyone in the competition.

Pyke was this week confident Lynch would make his 2018 bow against the Saints at Etihad Stadium.

“He’s back, he trained really well, it’s a matter of seeing how he pulls up and what his energy levels are like,” Pyke said.

“Lynchy trained ... he’s certainly giving off some strong vibes that he’s keen to play, which is good.”

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