Athletic defender Bethany Lynch will join the Tigers for the 2022 NAB AFL Women’s season.
Lynch, who played eight games for North Melbourne across three seasons, has been added to the primary list following the movement of Iilish Ross to the Club’s inactive list.
Ross sustained a bone stress injury to her lower leg during the pre-season that is not expected to recover in time for the upcoming season that commences on January 7.
The 22-year-old former first-round selection missed most of her debut season at the Tigers in 2020 through injury but played every game in 2021 as a reliable small defender.
“We are very disappointed for Iilish, who has worked hard to overcome injury issues during her almost three years at the Club,” said Richmond Head of Women’s Football, Kate Sheahan.
“Based on the injuries timeline and Iilish’s history, we have made the decision together with her and our medical team to give the issue time to recover without the pressure of setting a return date for this AFLW season.
“Iilish will stay an important part of our program throughout her rehabilitation and it is her selflessness that has allowed Beth to take this exciting opportunity to step in."
Lynch, 24, is the younger sister of dual premiership Tiger, Tom. The pair will become the first brother/sister combination to be listed at the Club in the short AFL/AFLW history and could become just the third family link to each feature at senior level for their respective elite teams in league history.
“We know that Beth will be able to slot in seamlessly. She was terrific in our practice match against Geelong and has prior AFLW and Richmond (VFLW) experience," Sheahan said.
“It is great to be able to bring Beth back home to Richmond and very special to have her and Tom playing at the elite level at the same Club.
“Beth has worked very hard to get herself back onto an AFLW list and is fully deserving of another chance, which we are thrilled to be able to give her.”
Lynch was the first player ever to be drafted out of Richmond’s VFLW program when North Melbourne called her name in the 2018 AFL Women’s Rookie Draft. She will wear number 32 for the Tigers this season.
