Tom Lynch is four games in but has already delivered big time for Richmond Jon Ralph writes

Richmond knew it was getting the complete package when it recruited Tom Lynch from Gold Coast but not even coach Damien Hardwick, or Lynch himself, could have envisaged him delivering this much so early, Jon Ralph writes.

Tom Lynch booted six goals in the win over Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed

In his limited time as a Richmond player, Tom Lynch has been a one-trick pony.

But what a trick it is.

The Tigers spearhead turned matchwinner against Port Adelaide with a last-gasp goal after Dylan Grimes had saved it down the other end.

When he builds his fitness Lynch will again become the roving forward who at Gold Coast hit up on the wings and assisted teammates as the complete forward package.

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Right now in an equation that would thrill coach Damien Hardwick, all he does is kick goals.

His 6.2 against Port Adelaide in the victory that dragged Richmond back to parity put his season total to 16.5 from 30 total kicks for the year.

He barely handpasses (six so far this season), he doesn’t have a hitout as a part-time ruckman and he has taken just 14 marks.

Tom Lynch booted six goals in the win over Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed

He doesn’t kick many points either, his 16 goals coming from just 23 shots at goal to put him behind only Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Gary Rohan and Isaac Heeney for goal accuracy.

But he has delivered in spades, with the mouth-watering prospect for Hardwick that he can get so much better.

As Nick Riewoldt said at the start of the season, Richmond could have two of the best five forwards in the competition.

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Lynch on Sunday said he was surprised but thrilled to receive a contentious double goal for a late push in the back.

He said the Tigers had embraced their underdog tag against Port Adelaide in a victory that saw Sydney Stack back up his debut and Jack Ross thrive with 25 polished disposals in his first game.

“We spoke about it before the game. We are going in as underdogs, let’s embrace it. We love being underdogs,” he said.

Lynch has kicked 16 goals so far this season. Picture: Getty

“There was all this talk about the big four out but Jack Ross came in and played a sensational game and Stacky backed up and it was Shai Bolton’s first game for the year.

“It was great for him to have the opportunity. (Ross) is a great kid, he doesn’t get flustered. The guys were talking in the midfield about how great he was to play with, he has a really mature head on his shoulders. We have found a player there.”

Lynch told SEN that he couldn’t wait for Riewoldt to return given how much he had learnt from the dual Coleman Medallist.

“It is one of the things coming to Richmond, I was really excited to partner Jack,” he said.

“His footy brain is up there with the best and it’s been great to learn off him. I haven’t had that in my career, someone to learn off which has been great.”

Instead of the backs-to-the-wall 1-3 win-loss record, the Tigers are at 2-2 with Dustin Martin to return against Sydney and Jack Riewoldt the following week against Melbourne.

Richmond knew what it had in Lynch as a long-term prospect yet even they couldn’t have believed he could have delivered this much so early.