AFL 2020: Tigers’ Tom Lynch divides AFL with latest striking incident with Essendon’s Michael Hurley

After a week of criticism over an ugly run-in, the AFL world has once again been left at odds over star forward Tom Lynch’s actions.

Tom Lynch kicks the ball during the clash with Essendon.

The Richmond Tigers have claimed a 12-point win over Essendon with a 10.13 (71) to 10.1 (61) in Darwin.

It was a pretty incredible effort for Essendon to be so close on the scoreboard having had 42 less inside 50s, with only 24 for the entire match.

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But after a week where he was heavily criticised for his off-the-ball “cheap shot” on the Gold Coast Suns’ Sam Collins, vision during the match showed that the Tigers’ Tom Lynch could once again be in hot water with the Match Review Officer.

During the fourth quarter with the game still in the balance, Richmond led by 11 when vision showed jostling between Lynch and Essendon’s Michael Hurley with the Tiger lashing out and connecting with the Bomber’s throat.

Hurley immediately pointed out the incident to the umpires with Channel 7 commentator James Brayshaw seemingly trying to avoid casting aspersions on the moment.

“Lynch and Hurley exchanging pleasantries, had a week full of it Tommy Lynch,” Brayshaw said.

Could Tom Lynch be in some MRO trouble?

But the pair were cautioned by one of the umpires with “any more, it’s a free kick,” clearly heard on the mic.

Post-match, Fox Footy’s Tom Morris said Hurley appeared to be reaching for Lynch’s left hand which was broken in July before the high strike.

“If he was found guilty, it would be intentional, low impact and high, which would be one week,” Morris said.

Tom Lynch is set to come under scrutiny AGAIN after this incident with Michael Hurley.

MORE > https://t.co/6gLFgJ0B2W pic.twitter.com/xtbA4Uop9T

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 22, 2020

He also added Hurley could get a $500 fine for misconduct for trying to hit his hand.

Brad Johnson argued it was more a push motion than a strike, and said “I don’t think Tom Lynch has anything to worry about on this occasion”.

But the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph thinks Lynch may be in some strife.

“Lynch whacks Mick Hurley in the neck which is officially high contact. Hard enough to be a week. Hurley looks to be whacking his hand or trying to break his hold but it’s surely enough force for a week this time,” Ralph tweeted.

World number 204 tennis player Andrew Harris was a little harsher in his comments.

And there it is!!! Lynch you are a flog.#AFLDonsTigers https://t.co/VyRM5ZezDC

— Andrew Harris (@AndyHarris1994) August 22, 2020

While it appears to be a small moment in the context of the game, it comes after a firestorm of criticism for Lynch following the Collins incident.

Although Melbourne great Garry Lyon correctly called that it would be just a fine on On The Couch Monday night after the incident that saw Collins fuming in the rooms post-match and even punching a padded pylon, the AFL world has spent the week slamming Lynch.

The AFL’s Match Review Officer Michael Christian deemed the shot as intentional conduct with low impact and body contact, which results in only a $1000 fine.

He also copped a second $1000 fine for a jumper punches to Suns ruckman Jarrod Witts in the second quarter.

It could be a costly fortnight for Lynch.

Whether the latest incident will hit his hip pocket remains to be seen but early reports seem to suggest it might come to the MRO’s attention.

SEN were asking “Will Tom Lynch come under MRO scrutiny again?” sharing vision of the incident, while the AFL posted a video titled “Yet another potential MRO incident for Lynch”.

AFL 360 host Mark Robinson called on Lynch’s teammates to pull him aside and get him to correct course or risk ruining his reputation.

“If Tom Lynch was a mate of mine I would sit here right now and say, ‘Mate, you’re being a d****, what are you doing? … If you don’t care what people think, no problem. But as a great mate of yours I’m telling you that everyone’s thinking you’re a d****bag for what you’re doing at the moment’,” Robinson said.

He clearly didn’t listen if they did have the talk.

Brisbane Lions player Mitch Robinson then tweeted: “He went to a good team to get success, that’s what he did. He went to a premiership team and thinks he’s that good. He just does my head in. He’s a w***er.”

Those comments saw a mixed reaction from the AFL world.