Star Richmond key forward Tom Lynch enhanced his reputation on AFL football’s big finals stage with a powerful performance against St Kilda in last Friday night’s semi-final clash at Metricon Stadium, after missing the previous week’s qualifying final recovering from a hamstring injury.

Although his goalkicking accuracy was astray, Lynch’s two goals (2.5) in the team’s 31-point win took his overall tally in four finals with the Tigers to 11.

He kicked two goals in his first final for Richmond, which was last year’s qualifying final win against Brisbane at the Gabba, followed up with a superb five-goal display in the preliminary final success v Geelong at the MCG, and then completed a September to remember with two goals in the crushing Grand Final triumph over Greater Western Sydney at the ‘G’.

To go with his two goals last Friday night, Lynch had 17 disposals, six marks (two contested and four inside 50), four inside-50s, an equal game-high nine score involvements and three tackles.

Essendon goalkicking great and current-day football media commentator Matthew Lloyd was glowing in his praise of Lynch’s display against the Saints.

“I love a full-forward that stands and delivers like he did for his team last night,” Lloyd said on 3AW last Saturday.

“Tom Lynch hates getting beaten . . .

“His game last night was phenomenal.

“He made Richmond a five-goal better team than the week before.”