Damien Hardwick fires back at David Schwarz in Tom Lynch stoush

Melbourne great David Schwarz has shrugged off an attack by Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and doubled down on his criticism of Tom Lynch.

Under-fire Richmond forward Tom Lynch scuffles with Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts on Monday night. Picture: Getty Images

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has delivered a brutal smackdown to former Melbourne forward David Schwarz for “crying” in a grand final as he attacked critics of Tom Lynch.

But Schwarz has shrugged off the attack, dismissing Hardwick’s claims over the 2000 grand final while he doubled-down on his criticism of Lynch.

Leaping to the defence of the Tigers’ key forward after he came under fire this week for his “cheap shots” against the Gold Coast Suns, Hardwick said the “carry-on” over Lynch’s actions had been “over-the-top” and had lacked “perspective”.

Hardwick said comments from Brisbane player Mitch Robinson had been disappointing, but saved a stinging rebuke for Schwarz.

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Schwarz said during the week Lynch was “not tough” and said he needed to “stop being a knucklehead … and stop trying to be something you’re not”.

Hardwick said the criticism of Lynch had been unfair and Schwarz needed to have a “good look at himself”.

“There are a few players out there making comment — mainly I’m looking David Schwarz here — I played a grand final against that bloke (in 2000) and within 20 minutes he was crying, so have a look at himself at some stage.”

Tom Lynch trains with Richmond at Metricon Stadium on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

Schwarz told News Corp he would not “lose any sleep” over Hardwick’s comments, but stood by his assessment of Lynch, who he said needed to stop being a “goose”.

“We work in an industry where you have got to give and take and I gave a little bit and he’s given a little bit back,” Schwarz said.

“I don’t take it personally, it’s his opinion. My recollection of the 2000 grand final is different to that of his (Hardwick’s).

“I don’t remember it like that. That’s the way he sees it, no problem. That’s OK. I won’t lose any sleep over it. But I stand by my comments. Tom Lynch has got to put the team first and not his own actions and that was the point of one of my comments. Stop being a goose and play the good footy that we know you can play.

“I expected Dimma to go into bat for his players, that’s what he does, he’s that sort of coach and I respect that … but I certainly don’t back away from the comments.”

Lynch was slapped with a fine by the match review officer for striking Suns players Sam Collins and Jarrod Witts last round.

Hardwick said he loved Lynch’s aggression, but acknowledged there would be times when he overstepped the mark.

“I have spoken to Tom, I love his aggression, sometimes he is going to go over and he is going to (give away) free kicks and get a report,” Hardwick said. “But I thought the carry-on was completely over-the-top to be fair. That sort of thing happens within the game 400 times but for some reason we all go after Tom Lynch.

“I found it disappointing, especially from some of the players that made comments — David Schwarz was completely over-the-top, (Mitch) Robinson as well.

Hardwick said he expected Brisbane coach Chris Fagan to have dealt with Lion Robinson’s comments on Twitch two weeks ago calling Lynch a “w..ker”.

“I’ve got an enormous amount of respect for Mitch and I’m sure he probably looks back and it was probably not the ideal choice of words,” Hardwick said.

Herald Sun