Richmond forward Tom Lynch has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 AFL season due to the foot injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 4.

Lynch met with a surgeon and Club medical staff this week, where it was decided, the fracture had not healed to the level required to increase training loads to consider a return to playing this year.

The key forward will instead have the foot further operated on before turning his focus to returning to action in 2024.

Richmond General Manager - Football Performance Tim Livingstone said the approach would allow Lynch to return to full fitness.

“Tom is such a significant player for us, so it is important that we get this right,” he said.

“We have monitored the bone throughout the season, and the healing process has been slow - but we have not waivered from the beginning that the priority would be Tom’s long-term health.

“It is frustrating because we would love to have Tom playing for us, but even more, we want him fit and firing for the long term. This course of action has been recommended by our medical staff and will give Tom the time required to get this right for the future.”

Lynch, who won the Jack Dyer Medal as the Tigers’ best and fairest in 2022, booted nine goals from four matches in 2023.