Less than a year on from retiring from the AFL, former Hawthorn and Collingwood ruckman Max Lynch has secured a head coaching role at the local level.
Lynch, 25, announced his premature retirement last August due to an ongoing battle with concussion that would end his seven-year career after just 11 games.
The former Albury player is now set to return to his old club as a full-time senior coach of the Tigers from next year, adding to his young coaching CV after holding a role with Hawthorn's AFLW program.
Albury announced a succession plan this week that will see Lynch lead the Ovens and Murray League. He replaces former GWS, Richmond and Gold Coast player Anthony Miles and his co-coach Shaun Daly at the helm for the next three years.
"The Albury Tigers Club would like to announce the following changes to our coaching line-up for the 2025 season," a club post reads.
"Tigers Senior co-coaches Anthony Miles and Shaun Daly will be stepping down at the end of the 2024 season. We will properly thank, recognise and celebrate the achievements of these two great men once our 2024 season has concluded, and expect to see them around Tigerland in some capacity next year and beyond.
"The Albury Tigers are very excited to announce that former Collingwood and Hawthorn player Max Lynch will be joining the Albury Tigers as Senior Coach starting in the 2025 season.
"Max and the Club have shown a strong commitment, by agreeing to a three-year coaching term providing continuity to the playing group, members and Sponsors."
Lynch started his AFL career with Collingwood as a Rookie Draft addition in 2016, with the ruckman playing three games over his five years in the black and white.
He sought a trade to Hawthorn ahead of the 2022 season and would play eight games under Sam Mitchell before announcing his retirement last year.
Albury currently sit in sixth on the O&MFL ladder, having claimed an even split of five wins and five losses from their 10 matches.
