Richmond’s Tom Lynch dismisses haters and vows to play GF hard

Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch is aware of the criticism he has received for acts that have drawn fines this season but says he will continue to play hard.

Richmond forward Tom Lynch is the most controversial player in the AFL grand final. Picture: Getty Images

Richmond’s Tom Lynch, the man who has been the source of significant controversy this season, does not want to be disliked.

But nor does the Tigers spearhead place any value on the randoms who abuse him on social media, or those bellowing at him from the cheap seats in the crowd.

For Lynch, who has been subject to significant scrutiny in 2020 for a handful of indiscreet acts, the only opinions that matter are from those who actually know who he is.

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“I don’t think you want to be disliked but, to be honest, you just value the people you care about the most,” he said.

“I think it can be false when people love you and they don’t know you or hate you when they don’t know you. I don’t think you can read too much into it.

“The main thing is that the people who know you close enough, you care about what they think and their opinions of you.”

Lynch is a somewhat surprising choice as the pantomime villain of this season given his genial demeanour away from football.

The 27-year-old, who consoled a crying Port Adelaide fan in the stands after Richmond’s preliminary final victory on Friday night, does occasionally succumb to white-line fever.

His likely rival Harry Taylor dubbed Lynch a “five-tool” player on Monday given his array of skills. Rival fans might point to five separate incidents to suggest instead he is a tool on the field.

The star spearhead has earned their wrath for acts including striking Suns Sam Collins and Jarrod Witts, an act of misconduct directed at Brisbane’s Alex Witherden and for placing a knee on St Kilda’s Dan Houston.

A charge of striking Michael Hurley, effectively laid for his repeated breaches, was dismissed by the tribunal. Despite the acts, not once has Lynch been suspended.

His coach Damien Hardwick likes the fact he plays on the edge.

“A couple of incidents might have been overblown. To be honest, I didn’t mean to knee Dougal Howard,” Lynch said.

“I know it looked bad and it wasn’t a great look for the game, but I don’t want to be portrayed as that. I didn’t actually realise I had done it on the day. People probably won’t believe me, but it doesn’t really matter.

“These things happen in a game. You are pretty focused on the footy. You are going for the footy. Sometimes small things happen that may pop up.”

Lynch’s forward-line partner Jack Riewoldt launched a spirited defence of the former Gold Coast captain earlier this year, saying he was the victim of a media “pile-on”.

The spearhead, who has kicked 94 goals in 43 games with Richmond, said he was pleased with the support he had received from his teammates given the challenges of 2020.

“I think it has been a challenging year for everyone and everyone has had their challenges in all walks of life,” he said.

“There has been, obviously, a little bit of media scrutiny on me at different times, but I have had this amazing support, firstly, from Dimma (Hardwick), and then from the whole playing group.

“I just have to attack the ball hard and I know I play my best footy when I am launching for marks. If I can’t mark it, I’ll bring it to the ground. I just have to be aggressive at the footy, first and foremost, and win the hard ball.”

The 27-year-old proved the difference in last year’s preliminary final against Geelong when he kicked five goals.

He expects veteran Cats defender Taylor to stand alongside him at the Gabba again on Saturday in the season decider.

Taylor, for his part, is well aware his rival brings far more to the Tigers than simply his physicality.

“He’s got physical presence. He is strong. He’s athletic. He is what I would term a ‘five-tool’ player, to steal a term from baseball,” Taylor said.

“He can do everything that you require of a forward. He kicks goals when he needs to. He can take a mark and he puts on good defensive pressure.

“In baseball, they talk about hitting for power, hitting to position and they are also great In the field and he reminds me of a ‘five-tool’ player in terms of all the things he brings to their forward line.”