Tom T. Lynch

FIVE potential landing spots for Tom Lynch

A handy man to have roaming around in attack, where could the Crows veteran land?

Published by
Benjamin Millard

After a fair bit of speculation, 30-year-old forward utility Tom Lynch has been told by Adelaide that he is surplus to requirements after ten seasons at West Lakes.

His ability to push up the ground is a valuable asset to his side, however his personal form has gone similar to the trajectory of his club, with his best season arguably being 2017 - when Adelaide almost went all the way.

Aside from this drop in form the fact still remains that Lynch has a few good years still left in him at the top level, and he would be hellbent on adding an elusive premiership medal to his locker.

His status as a free agent, coupled with the knowledge that he isn't wanted at Adelaide, will mean that any club wanting to make a move will have a relatively clear run at him.

Will he go back to his starting club with St Kilda? Or will he ply his trade somewhere else in his home state of Victoria?

Here is a list of five potential landing spots for Tom Lynch in trade period 2021.

Geelong

This one could materialise in all honesty, with the Cats having an apparent obsession with poaching stars who are in the twilight stages of their careers and ringing the last few good seasons out of them.

With ex-Roos star Shaun Higgins' future beyond 2021 unclear at the Cattery, there could be a nice gap for Lynch to slot into.

It remains to be seen what the Adelaide veteran has left in the tank, and if he's put into an elite level squad, his best still might be yet to come.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Tom Lynch of the Crows is tackled by Cameron Guthrie of the Cats during the 2018 AFL round 17 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on July 12, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Throw in the injury troubles that continue to plague Gary Rohan, and there is a definite role to be had for Lynch within the squad.

Can he elevate Cats to a flag if they don't manage it in 2021? It's a huge ask, but there is no doubt that he would add more to Chris Scott's side rather than detract from it.

Melbourne

The Demons seem to have a pretty balanced squad as it is right now, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the club aren't exactly in need of huge stars to elevate them to the next level.

Alternatively, more role players around the squad to help plug gaps if and when injuries strike could be opportune.

Lynch would be able to challenge Jake Melksham for a spot in the starting-22, with the ex-Bomber sometimes maligned by Demons fans for his performance.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: Crows players, Tom Lynch, Paul Seedsman, Tom Doedee slump to the ground after the loss of the 2021 AFL Round 05 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval on April 18, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Add in the potential departure of backup forward Sam Weideman to greener pastures and there is genuine cause for Simon Goodwin to circle out Tom Lynch as someone to bring in.

He wouldn't cost a heap for the club and would bring the steady head of an AFL veteran to the forward-line.

Essendon

This one would be a good move for a number of reasons.

Firstly it would be good for the Bombers to have a veteran forward in at the club for when Cale Hooker eventually retires.

The defender/forward is 32 now and is definitely in the final years of his career and would be looking to hand over the reins to another player.

Lynch would bring years of experience to a developing forward-line with the likes of Sam Durham, Archie Perkins and Dylan Clarke needing an older figure to help with their progression.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Archie Perkins of the Bombers (C) in action during an Essendon Bombers AFL media opportunity at The Hangar on January 21, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Secondly, Lynch's ability to work up the field would be valuable to the Bombers, enabling the likes of Nik Cox to push further up and contribute more offensively.

A move to an up-and-coming side could be the go for Lynch, with playing at a club that has a great feel about it's future a good move to close out his career.

Richmond

The Tigers might be in with a shout of signing their second Tom Lynch in three years, with this version having a smaller profile than the one the club already has in its ranks.

All jokes aside, Lynch would be a useful signing for Damien Hardwick considering the role that he could play.

Sometimes the Tigers can be incredibly wasteful with their delivery and efficiency inside 50, and Lynch could help remedy this.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Tom Lynch of the Crows kicks the ball during the round 14 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Hawthorn Hawks at Adelaide Oval on June 22, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

The 30-year-old averages 7.2 effective kicks and 79.8% disposal efficiency per game and would help dramatically with Richmond's inability at times this season to lower their eyes and hit a lead.

It seems the much maligned Jason Castagna could be the one to come out should Lynch make the switch to Tigerland, but it remains to be seen if Richmond make a move for him.

St Kilda

Could Lynch make the move back to Moorabbin to reunite with the club that gave him his start in the AFL?

It very much could be a switch that's on the cards, with the Saints sure to be on the list when trade period comes around at the end of the year.

Yes the Saints already have a great forward-line, however it is a young one at that with the likes of Max King, Jack Higgins and Cooper Sharman within its ranks.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Jack Higgins of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round 11 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

As with the rest of the teams on this list, the main thing that Lynch would bring to them is experience and efficiency.

With Jack Billings potentially out the door at season's end, there will be space on the list for St Kilda to go and poach a few faces, and the fact Lynch is available at a cut-price means that it'd be wise for the Saints to chuck their hat in the ring for him.

He could be key in helping King and co. develop, and with the Saints looking to take the next step in the next few years Lynch could be at the forefront of this.

Published by
Benjamin Millard