Adelaide forward Tom Lynch has signed a three-year deal, gifting the Crows’ floundering AFL season a badly-needed boost.
The 27-year-old link man was out of contract at the end of the season and Victorian clubs, including his old side St Kilda, were circling.
The news is timely, with Adelaide mired in a four-game losing streak and 11th on the ladder as they come out of the bye.
A woeful run of injuries prompted changes to their training program and there are continued rumblings in the wake of a controversial pre-season training camp.
With Lynch locked away until 2021, the Crows’ two main priorities now will be vice-captain Rory Sloane and forward Mitch McGovern.
Sloane becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the season, while there is speculation that McGovern might try to break his contract and head to Victoria.
Lynch is in Adelaide’s leadership group and captained them for the first time in round nine.
He has made the initial All-Australian squad of 40 for the last two seasons.
Lynch has played 115 AFL games, including six for the Saints.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club since arriving here at the end of 2011 and am excited to continue to call Adelaide home,” Lynch said.
“I’ve made some life-long friends since then and every day I’m surrounded by a committed playing and coaching group who are always trying to get better.”
The relief among the Crows was clear in their media release.
“Tom is an important member of our playing group and to have him sign on for a further three years is a significant boost,” said Crows list manager Justin Reid.
“He has taken his game to another level in recent seasons.”
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Maybe ... Just maybe ... the rumors of discontent at AFC are generated by an Adelaide Media that, in the main openly barracks for Port and has just 2 teams to focus upon, including their beloved Power? With Adelaide's form having turned (with injuries playing the major part) there is a feeding frenzy underway with rumors of disharmony and unrest. One article last week described AFC as being a "basket case" and in crisis! Wow - a relatively poor 6-7 record makes them a hopeless prospect. What rot. Criticise them for their form (fair enough) but do not look for issues that don't exist. Nothing coming direct from AFC is believed by the Adelaide media, everything is questioned and ulterior motives, alternative outcomes and abstract driving forces are conjured. The rest of the Australian media does not care about either Adelaide team and simply syndicates those articles generated in Adelaide where tall poppy syndrome drives the "what about Port" message of entitlement. PS: Lynch is reportedly now on $550K pa (having rejected the reportedly $700K pa offers available elsewhere).
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Guest
McGovern is hardly a "priority" for the Crows. He's got 2 more seasons left on his contract after this year, he's not going anywhere. Extending that contract this early is not going to be a priority, and nor is trying to offload him by way of trade. If he does want out then it's up to his desired club to drive a dump truck full of first round picks over to the AFC and pile them up in the car park out front. Otherwise I doubt they'll be thinking about it too much for another couple of years.
John H
Guest
Congrats to Tom Lynch for resigning . If McGovern wants out , let him go . There are ample replacements in Fogarty and Harry Dear , plus the crows will get good compensation . A bonus with the so called super draft upon us
Sammy
Guest
I think there is a lot of muck raking coming from the victorian scribes like that muppet mclure..throw enough darts and hope one hits. Funny how when it is a player from an interstate club that the vic scribes line is..they are gone, but when it is a vic club player it is generally ...oh player x will sign on with their club. Just destabilisation tricks
David C
Guest
With all the rumours of discontent regarding Eddie Betts and McGovern possibly wanting out, and Sloane still undecided, I suspect they upped their offer for Lynch. I think Sloane will end up staying. Clubs would be wary of that dodgy foot injury at his age. The crows will get a good deal if McGovern leaves.
User
Roar Rookie
As always if Victoria was to be believed lynch was going back to Melbourne lol