AFL world divided over Tom Lynch high shot on Tom De Koning
Tom Lynch’s contentious high shot on Tom De Koning was the only dampener in Richmond’s stunning win over Carlton.
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Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch will face scrutiny from the AFL’s Match Review Panel over his contentious high shot on Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning in Thursday night’s stunning 13-point win by the Tigers.
Written off as rank outsiders coming into the game, Richmond stormed home from a 41-point deficit to claim a stirring 13.4 (82) to 9.15 (69) victory in front of 80,009 fans at the MCG.
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But Lynch’s act could prove a dampener to the Tiger faithful.
Lynch has only played eight games over the past two seasons due to a variety of foot and hamstring complaints.
He then suffered a concussion in the pre-season, so the 32-year-old was a hugely welcome addition to the young Tigers side for round one at the MCG.
But he could be set for another spell on the sideline after his decision to bump De Koning in a clash in the second quarter.
After the Blues big man got a handball away among a pack of players, Lynch opted to lead with his right shoulder and appeared to connect with De Koning’s jaw, with his head jolting back from the contact.
Watch the moment in the video player above
A number of footy figures were convinced Lynch would be looking at a one-match ban from the AFL Tribunal although the moment sparked fierce debate across the footy world.
Many also felt Jacob Weitering’s arm extending to push Lynch in the back right before the contest was a significant factor.
“I think he’ll miss against Port Adelaide next week,” Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy.
“I think he’s likely to be suspended for one week for a high bump on Tom De Koning.
“I’ll read you the clause that shows why it’s very likely. Now the AFL’s rules on high bumps say ‘any high bump that has the capacity to cause injury will usually be graded at minimum as medium impact’.
“As we saw across the first half, De Koning came back on the field and I think he had a brief HIA (head injury assessment).
“But he jumps off the ground, the look of it’s not great and more to the point, he hits him in the jaw and that to (Match Review Officer) Michael Christian is not great.”
AFL great and fellow Fox Footy panellist Jason Dunstall, however, quickly jumped to Lynch’s defence.
“Surely there are mitigating circumstances, the fact that Weitering’s pushed him into him,” the goalkicking great said.
“He then has to protect himself because he’s being pushed into him and contact is inevitable.”
Ralph replied: “I’m sure they’ll look at that … and potentially that’s something he’ll argue.
“But let’s look at it again, I still think the fact he jumps off the ground there … you may well be his advocate on Tuesday night if he goes to the Tribunal.
“When you jump off the ground and it has capacity to cause serious injury, I think it’s likely to be medium.”
Dunstall added quietly: “I’d be disappointed if he got rubbed out for that.”
Leigh Montagna leaned towards Ralph’s side, stating “it’s going to be hard for him to get off”.
“What they will say is even if there is a slight push, they’ll tell him he should’ve done something other than … the AFL say you can’t brace with a hip and shoulder,” he said.
“You need to put your hands out. How many times have we heard this argument, you’ve got to put your hands out.”
A number of other footy figures gave their thoughts on the incident, including Richmond legend Matthew Richardson.
“What we do know is if you choose to make high contact, you’re going to come under scrutiny,” he said on 3AW Radio.
“So the Match Review Officer will have a look at that and, depending I guess on the severity and how De Koning is, they’ll make their judgement from there.
“He’s just got himself back out there but time will tell. You choose to bump and you do make high contact, you put yourself under the scrutiny of the Match Review Officer.”
Channel 7 football reporter Mitch Cleary also felt Lynch was facing a likely week off next week.
“Tom De Koning cleared of any concerns,” he tweeted. “But the MRO won’t like the look of Lynch’s action.
“Chooses to bump and makes contact to the head. Careless, high contact + medium impact (under potential to cause injury) would = 1 week.”
Like some of the sport’s greats and media personalities, fans were just as divided.
One wrote on X: “Nothing in it. De Koning got back up and continued on.”
Another declared: “Pushed into the contest by Weitering.”
A third offered: “You blokes have all gone soft, that or you’re all 25 and don’t know any better. That was a great shirtfront.”
A fourth said: “If Tom Lynch gets weeks for that I think footy is officially over.”
Yet many others believed Lynch was in trouble.
“Classic Tom Lynch, he will get weeks,” was one assessment.
”Pretty dumb decision considering Richmond need him playing and his leadership for the youngsters,” suggested another.
“High late and leaves ground. Should be two,” said another.
“Was there a push? Yes but a push doesn’t make you jump into someone,” stated another footy fan.
The MRO’s assessment of the incident will prove an interesting test case of high shots early in the 2025 campaign.
Originally published as AFL world divided over Tom Lynch high shot on Tom De Koning
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