Richmond may have to do without Tom Lynch for their AFL clash with Essendon after an incident that could land him in hot water with the match review officer.
Tom Lynch claims he hit Gold Coast’s Sam Collins with an “open hand to the chest” in an incident that could land the Richmond premiership star in hot water with the AFL’s match review officer.
It occurred during the final quarter of the Tigers’ 21-point victory at the Gabba on Monday night and was later described by former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt as a “cheap shot”.
Collins was left momentarily keeled over as Lynch ran off on a lead and took an easy mark before kicking a goal to give Richmond a crucial 13-point advantage late in the match.
“It was just an open hand and pushed off,” Lynch told ABC Grandstand post-match.
“That was it … he (Collins) was a bit angry about that but it was just an open hand to the chest, which as key forwards is what you want to do.”
Richmond went on to beat the Suns 8.5 (53) to 4.8 (32) and move within touching distance of the top four.
But Lynch faces a wait to find out if he is free to play in Saturday night’s ‘Dreamtime’ meeting with Essendon in Darwin.
Broadcast vision from behind Lynch and Collins showed a swinging right arm from the Tigers’ spearhead but did not offer a clear view on the contact.
Match review officer Michael Christian will have access to multiple camera angles when he assesses the incident on Tuesday.
A furious Collins remonstrated with Lynch and was caught on camera punching a padded concrete pillar out of frustration in the Suns’ change room after the match.
Earlier this month, Lynch was fined for misconduct after shoving Brisbane defender Alex Witherden’s head into the ground, drawing plenty of criticism.
Richmond teammate Jack Riewoldt said Lynch’s aggressive approach to the game was “by design”.
“I feel like he probably plays his best footy when he’s on the edge. He’s pretty scary actually,” he told Fox Footy.
“We think there’s a level for Lynchy to do that.
“We know that he plays his best footy when he’s aggressive in the contest and sometimes there’s got to be a little bit of this to get him up and going.
“I suppose it’s just understanding what makes you a player and I felt like he had a really big impact in that back half of the game.”
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I feel a lynch mob coming on.
Russ
Guest
Poor act they need to stamp this crap out and he need to gets some new tricks in the bag.
dankswonderelixir
Guest
It would be great if someone like Caleb Daniel gave Lynch a thrashing. His tough guy bravado and antics in the last 4 weeks is really ordinary and lets face it its not him. If the AFL wont act then a thrashing from a smaller guy and the public humiliation is what he justly deserves.
Dave
Roar Rookie
Glad you’re not the MRO there 2dogs, lol. I detect a bit of bias there, or do you automatically come to that 4 week ban conclusion regardless of whether it’s a Richmond player or not? Anyway, it turns out the MRO probably made the correct call in my opinion for reasons I’ve already mentioned previously. Tom Lynch cops 2 fines and is free to play on the weekend! Can we move on now please.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
4 weeks minimum
Rissole
Roar Rookie
I feel like Zaharakis got suspended for a tummy tap a year or two ago.
Colin Phipps
Guest
Cheap Shot? it's a dogs act
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
You're a beauty, Larry. The two incidents are like chalk and cheese. You're telling the story though.
Dave
Roar Rookie
I agree with the stomach punch aspect, however the question still remains as to whether it was a punch at all for my mind? Tom claims the contact was made with an open hand, which doesn’t constitute a punch in my opinion. Again looking at the footage, it’s very hard to make out exactly what transpired. I guess it’s up to the experts to make that determination and pass judgment along with technology to provide assistance. My opinion aside, I think a lot of people are quick to jump on the ‘guilty’ bandwagon without considering all the facts. If Tom has a case to answer before the MRO, and gets found guilty based on all available evidence, then fair enough, he cops the ban and we move on, simple! I just don’t like any player for that matter, been signalled out as been guilty when the process hasn’t even run its course. Especially been apparent for my mind, that the footage I’m seeing isn’t even that conclusive.
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
Gov got a week for less but since Lynch is part of the protected species the MRP will probably bake him a cake
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Nbd if he did, you are only playing Essendon. I am not sure what the AFL can do. A really bad look when a goal results from a stomach punch. Would have to pull the game into disrepute card to rub him out. Maybe fine him and warn if it is done again it will be weeks. Why didn’t the umpire pick it up?
Gary
Roar Rookie
Aside from Collins looking like he got the wind knocked out of him, tha actual strike looked pretty standard play which almost always is not reported. Minor fine at worst.
Dave
Roar Rookie
Looking at the vision from my end, I can’t see how Tom Lynch gets a week for that. I’ll be pretty surprised and dumbfounded if he does cop a week!