With the AFL’s 2022 free agency period now open, Tony Greenberg reflects on Richmond’s recruitment of star key forward Tom Lynch from Gold Coast as a restricted free agent this time four years ago.
Since the introduction of the AFL’s free agency system in 2012, more than 100 players have taken advantage of it to switch clubs.
Lance Franklin’s transfer from Hawthorn to Sydney at the end of the 2013 season has been the most high-profile free agency move, and ‘Buddy’ has been a star for the Swans throughout the past nine years.
Looking at it through Yellow and Black glasses, however, I could mount a strong argument that Tom Lynch ranks right up there with Franklin as the best pick-up in the competition’s free agency history.
In just four seasons with Richmond, Lynch has been an integral part of two premiership teams, won two Michael Roach Medals as the Club’s leading goalkicker, and last week he captured his inaugural Jack Dyer Medal.
Franklin has taken out Sydney’s leading goalkicker award seven times in his nine seasons at the club, but a premiership there has eluded him, and he hasn’t won a Best and Fairest with the Swans either.
Richmond’s acquirement of Lynch via free agency was deemed to be a major coup for the Club at the time. Four years on, it looks even better, with the powerful key forward having delivered in spades for the Tigers.
He has kicked 193 goals in 81 games with Richmond and been a consistent matchwinner for the team throughout his time at Tigerland.
When Lynch decided he wanted to leave Gold Coast and return to his home state of Victoria late in the 2018 season, three rival AFL clubs hotly pursued him – Richmond, Collingwood and Hawthorn.
Ultimately, much to the utter delight of the Tiger Army, he chose Punt Road as the place where he wanted to continue his AFL career.
At the time he said: “They are three great clubs. I had to pinch myself, I was in a fairly privileged position.
“I didn't think there was any wrong decision there, it was just what fits best.
“I’m pretty excited to join Richmond . . . it will be nice to play alongside Jack Riewoldt.”
When the Suns opted not to match Richmond’s offer for Lynch as a restricted free agent, the then Tigers’ General Manager of Football, Neil Balme, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Tom to our football club.
“Tom is clearly a talented footballer, but he also has great leadership qualities and a strong work ethic.
“At only 25 years of age, he is an exciting prospect and has many years of good football ahead of him.
“I, like many of our fans, look forward to seeing Tom in Yellow and Black.”
Lynch was thrilled to officially become a Tiger . . .
“From the outside looking in, Richmond have something very special, so it’s great to be a part of it,” he said.
“I think every year you want to win the premiership.
“Obviously, they’ve had a great last two years with a premiership and prelim final, so I think it’d be great to help with that and hopefully we go well next year.”
