Richmond premiership star Tom Lynch has escaped suspension despite being charged with two striking offences out of the Tigers’ AFL win over Gold Coast.
Lynch found himself in hot water with the match review officer for a hit on Suns defender Sam Collins during the final quarter at the Gabba on Monday night.
He was also spotted striking ruckman Jarrod Witts during the third term.
On Tuesday, the Tigers spearhead was offered separate $1000 fines for the two offences.
Lynch’s teammate Jake Aarts was cleared of wrongdoing after sticking an arm out and making contact with Collins soon after Lynch had.
Gold Coast’s Caleb Graham was offered a $1000 sanction for striking the Tigers’ Mabior Chol during the last quarter.
Lynch’s swinging right arm to Collins’ chest drew fierce criticism after it was shown during the television broadcast, with former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt labelling it a “cheap shot”.
Lynch defended himself during a post-match interview and is free to play in Richmond’s ‘Dreamtime’ match against Essendon in Darwin on Saturday night.
“It was just an open hand and pushed off,” he told ABC Grandstand.
“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.”
Lynch’s latest sanction comes a fortnight after he was fined $500 for misconduct after shoving Brisbane defender Alex Witherden’s head into the ground.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick and Lynch’s teammates Jack Riewoldt and Kane Lambert all said in the aftermath of Monday night’s victory they enjoy seeing the star forward play on the edge.
Richmond have collectively had 14 fines for on-field misdemeanours this season, including six from their past three matches.
“Dimma (Hardwick) wants us to play assertive and aggressive football, sometimes that’s going to push the boundaries,” Lambert told SEN radio on Tuesday.
“We don’t want to be reckless, but as a smaller type player, playing around a key (forward) like Tom Lynch I’ve got a lot of confidence. He always looks out for us.
“I really love playing with Tommy, he’s been great for the football club.”
Russ
Guest
Given Richmond has the wood on the Bris I am not sure you can give them more ammo so why not ruffle a bit of fur. It is interesting if Robo punched Lynch for the treatment of Witherden (which was below par) then he would have got at least 5wks - this whole sage does not seem right.
Slane
Guest
Which video of Fremantle players engaging in the same garbage as Lynch would you like me to post? No doubt you were up in arms that Walters only got a week off last season for headbutting.
Slane
Guest
What position am I offering, Don? Mitch Robinson has had more suspensions in a single year than Tom Lynch has had over his whole career.
Slane
Guest
It's written in black and white. Would be hard to make it any clearer.
Mark
Roar Rookie
I suggest you watch the replay, you'll see: 1/ that Sam Collins was no angel during that game and; 2/ Lynch's push off didnt hurt him, he only went to ground after Aarts bumped him and he realised he had been beaten in the contest by Lynch.
Mark
Roar Rookie
I think Slane hit the nail on the head. Richmond already have a significant psychological advantage over Brisbane. Mitch makes himself look like a massive goose bagging a player who has 10 times his talent from a team they just can't seem to beat. Not that the Tigers require any more motivation but I think Mitch just made the Lions job that much harder next time the 2 Teams meet. Fages will be privately fuming I'd say.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Your confusion is very clear.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What does it have to do with beating Richmond. What a silly line of argument. That's the playground unpleasantness that Mitch is saying Lynch engages in.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He has a far more sustainable position than the one you are offering. His is reasoned...and representative.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Why would we have to agree to that? It's exactly what I don't agree with. I certainly won't need to let you know when it happens. If it happens, you'll know.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
James Sicily would have got 3 weeks for Lynch's indiscretions this year.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Ammunition for the oppo.
Slane
Guest
Let me know when somebody gets charged with being a dill. Till then we'll just have to agree rough conduct that doesn't hurt anybody is probably not worthy of a two week suspension.
berrlins
Roar Pro
There's been abit of an overreaction to this hit. Lynch is a dill, he's got a history of being a dill and it will come back to bite him but those hits, especially the one on Collins didn't deserve much more than a fine.
Russ
Guest
I am not sure if you have noticed but the game has changed ever so slightly if he did it back in the days with the gentlemen you mentioned he would have got snotted and maybe a few games for them - nowadays the retaliator would get far more punishment then Lynch. Therefore the AFL has to act, this cheap stuff is not a good look and for Hardwick to defend it not a good look as well. Unsure if you would call the Witherden act an errant arm swing but each to their own.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
A couple of frustrated, errant arm swings & he’s suddenly the 2020 version of Robbie Muir or David Rhys Jones?! Let alone Ron Andrews, Mal Brown, or Carl Ditterich. Gimme a break.
Russ
Guest
How so?
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Someone forgot to feed him!
Chancho
Roar Rookie
I agree. So many people say "oh, it happens in every game"... but what it does is it removes the contest for us. These are the elite of the sport and I want to watch them taking each other on, and not winning a contest through niggling. I recall the Merrett hit on Silvagni a month or so ago: Merret couldn't catch him until Silvagni kicked the ball, and even then it was one of those poxy swing-arm punches on him from behind which cracked Silvagni's rib. THEN people criticise Silvagni for being weak!
2dogs
Roar Rookie
And you know I love the Tigers :stoked: