Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he would love to secure the services of free agent Tom Lynch for the 2019 AFL season.
The newly re-signed Hardwick believes Richmond could accommodate for his massive salary next year but finds it distasteful to poach rival players in-season.
Current AFL rules allow clubs to meet with rival players and their managers mid-season to pitch for their services.
The idea of Lynch joining the Tigers is a scary one for rival clubs as they begin their premiership defence. Another top four finish for Richmond could go a long way in luring Lynch away from the Suns.
In a Fox Footy interview, Hardwick ensured that the Tigers are keen on Lynchโs services.
โThe quality of player who Tom is, is incredible,โ he said.
โThose sort of players very rarely come out of contract, especially with free-agency โฆ to not cost draft picks, you probably make room for that type of player.
โHeโs an incredible athlete, great player and a great leader by all accounts. The quality of those sort of players donโt come out often, so youโve got to have a look at it.โ
The premiership coach was candid when asked how soon the Tigers would contact Lynch.
โYou are actually allowed to do this. We do talk to players that are out of contract โฆ Itโs an uncomfortable situation because Iโm talking to opposition players and opposition clubs are talking to my players, itโs probably not a great look for our game.
โIโd rather it just took place at the end of the year. This is prior to Round 1 โ weโre already speaking about Tom Lynch whoโs got a whole year to play at a club that heโs heavily invested in.
โLook we do (meet them). Itโs not something I overly enjoy doing. I love meeting the kids, theyโre great. The worst thing about being the coach is you fall in love with every single one of them. You want them all at your footy club. Itโs part and parcel of what we do.โ
Hardwick has previously called for an anti-tampering rule that would ban clubs from talking to rival players while they are in contract.
Richmond CEO Brendon Gale has already indicated Dustin Martinโs seven-year deal would not stop the Tigers from making strong offers to other players.
He has suggested that that the club would make room for Lynchโs contract, and Hardwick clearly agrees.
โWell, youโd have to ask the list manager. Iโll have space because heโs a bloody good player,โโ Hardwick said jokingly.
โThe money side of things, I donโt know. Let them figure that one out.โ
