Richmond key forward Tom Lynch feared career was over before comeback against Carlton

Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch has opened up on doubts his career would continue and calls that his head coach lacks aura after a sensational win over Carlton.

Dual Richmond premiership forward Tom Lynch feared at one stage he might have played his last game on the hallowed MCG, but Thursday night’s boilover victory over Carlton convinced him he and the young Tigers have plenty to look forward to.

The 32-year-old had managed only four games in each of the past two seasons due to foot and hamstring issues, which put a doubt in his own mind about his future.

But on a night to remember for the Tigers, Lynch kicked a goal for the first time since round 3 last year from his 13 disposals – his best return since 2022 – in the 13-point victory over the Blues.

Lynch celebrates a goal against Carlton. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if he feared his AFL career might have been over, a candid Lynch said: “Yeah, absolutely … there were times when I thought that, whether it was getting too hard or whether I was going to get back out there (on the MCG).”

“You have to pick yourself back up. You might have thoughts like that come in but you have to stick to the process.

“I will build into the season. It wasn’t my best game, but I was rapt to be out there.”

Lynch came under MRO attention after his bump on Blues ruckman Tom De Koning, which will cost him a week on the sidelines.

But he said the energy and fearlessness of the young Tigers including debutants Sam Lalor, Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong was infectious on the club’s more experienced players.

Lynch said Armstrong’s courageous attack on the contest when he collided with Carlton’s Ollie Hollands helped to turn the game.

“I thought when he went hard at the contest with that Carlton player, the whole team got a little bit of belief out of that,” he said.

“He went hard at the footy and everyone else thought ‘if it is good enough for him, then it is good enough for us.

“There wasn’t a bad player, it was a really good team effort. We know that we have a lot of work to do, but we just have to keep up the work ethic.”

He said No.1 draft pick Lalor had an enormous upside but was willing to work for it.

“He can play … (but) the best thing is he has come into the (club) and he wants to learn. He is going to get better and better.”

Ben Miller (left) and Lynch after the win. Picture: Getty Images

Lynch said the win was a great reward for coach Adem Yze, who had been criticised externally for lacking aura, and for skipper Toby Nankervis, who rucked tirelessly.

“It was a strange comment to make when you are outside the four walls,” Lynch of Kane Cornes’ comments about a lack of aura.

He said of Nankervis: “He is an absolute warrior and he does it every week which is why he is the captain of this club.”

“We know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are headed in the right direction.”