AFL: Sam Collins doesn’t flinch, emerges from Tom Lynch battle a winner

Sam Collins may have copped a cheap shot and lost the game but he emerged from Monday night with the respect of the footy public.

Sam Collins is a new cult hero. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

We’ll see vision of Tom Lynch’s cheap shot over and over on Tuesday ahead of the AFL Match Review Officer’s decision on whether the Richmond forward deserves a fine or a suspension for his off-ball strike on Sam Collins.

But this is the footage we should be watching.

Collins didn’t even flinch 😳

(via @brayden_cocks)

pic.twitter.com/ifhJIO9jjs

— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 17, 2020

While Lynch continues to infuriate the footy public with his misguided attempts to provide a physical presence in the Tiger forward line, Collins proved his toughness without moving a muscle.

In scenes eerily reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s famous blank stare reaction to a Matt Barnes ball fake, Collins didn’t flinch.

And it wasn’t the only moment from the 26-year-old the footy public loved.

Furious at giving up a third-quarter lead in the 21-point defeat — and most likely the lack of protection from the umpires — Collins punched a pylon and stalked around the Suns changerooms.

If anyone was questioning how much he cared about winning, this was all the evidence they needed.

St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt described Collins, who has become a mainstay of the Suns defence this season after being delisted by Fremantle in 2017, as a “great competitor”.

“He clearly didn’t like the treatment, he didn’t like the fact that Tom Lynch got on the end of it and kicked a goal. I can’t wait to see these boys go at each other next time,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

Swans champion Jude Bolton agreed. “Loved the intensity of Sam Collins,” he tweeted.

AFLW player Kaitlyn Ashmore added: “Sam Collins quickly becoming one of my favourite players.”

Footy fans were also glowing in their praise, with many suggesting Collins was their new favourite player from another club.

“Sam Collins has the Mamba Mentality!” tweeted Todd Davey.

“Love the competitive anger of Sam Collins. That is seriously good,” wrote Jack Hudson.

Mitchell Woodcock: “The fact Sam Collins was so mad shows now what Suns are. They have standards for themselves and are not happy when they’re not met. Will play finals in 2021!”

Sam Collins competes with Tom Lynch. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“I really enjoyed watching Sam Collins grow as a player this year, and am gaining more respect for him each week,” added Alex. “This clip sums up his season, fearless. Meanwhile, the footy community is watching Tom Lynch and quickly losing respect.”

Others also gave Collins credit for not squaring up with Lynch on field.

“Sam Collins showed excellent composure by not putting Lynch on the turf,” wrote Rob Officer. “Takes strong character to not snap when you have a massive f***wit in your face like that.”

GARRY LYON PREDICTS FINE FOR LYNCH

Melbourne Demons legend Garry Lyon predicted Lynch would cop a four-figure fine for the incident, but would not be suspended by the AFL.

“This is just a punch to the guts,” Lyon said on Fox Footy’s On The Couch.

“The AFL have demonstrated that they’re happy to condone these. They don’t see them as worthy of a week’s suspension.

“Write your check, $1500, away you go.”

Speaking to ABC Grandstand after the match, Lynch defended his actions, claiming it was “an open hand to the chest”.

“It was just an open hand and pushed off. That was it,” Lynch said.

“He was a bit angry about that, but it was just an open hand to the chest, which as key forwards, is what you want to do.”

Regardless, Lynch faced plenty of criticism for his “cheap shot”. West Australian senior footy writer Mark Duffield tweeted: “Will be very keen to see what MRO makes of Tom Lynch punch on Sam Collins. Live game and a forward marks and goals by getting off his man by punching him off the ball.”

Tom Lynch scuffles with Sam Collins. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Leader News reporter James Mottershead posted: “Tom Lynch not making a great name for himself of late. Too many cheap shots. Weak and embarrassing.”

Sports broadcaster Rohan Connolly tweeted: “Ordinary stuff Tom Lynch. Game doesn’t cheap shots, and you don’t need cheap shots to perform well. There’s a difference between ‘playing on the edge’ and belting a guy in the guts well off the ball. Anyone can do that. Cut it out.”

Australian comedian Scott Dooley queried: “Is Tom Lynch a bit of a d***head?”

— with Nic Savage