Tom Lynch Biography

Tom Lynch wins the Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond's best and fairest for the 2022 season, finishing just one vote clear of Daniel Rioli.

Damien Hardwick lashes out at David Schwarz over the ex-Demon's comments on Tigers forward Tom Lynch.

Schwarz was part of a chorus of criticism directed at Lynch after the Tigers spearhead received two separate $1000 fines for striking in Richmond's win over Gold Coast.

Schwarz had labelled Lynch a "goose", "knucklehead" and said he needed to "stop trying to be something you're not" on 3AW radio.

"I love his aggression, sometimes he's going to go over it (the line) and he's going to (give away) free kicks, or like the weekend he's going to get a report or two," Hardwick said of Lynch.

"This guy's incredibly brave on the field. He jumps into packs, he jumps back with courage. So for people to sit there and say he lacks courage is completely irresponsible and lacks perspective in my point of view and they really should have a good hard look at themselves.

"Mainly I'm looking at David Schwarz here. I played a grand final (for Essendon against Melbourne in 2000) against that bloke and within 20 minutes of the game he was crying so (he should) have a look at himself at some stage."

Tom Lynch tastes premiership success in his first year as a Tiger.

"It's amazing. I can't believe I've won it," an elated Lynch said in Richmond's dressing-room following the Grand Final thumping of GWS.

"Every footballer, every kid growing up wants an AFL Grand Final. It's always a dream but you never think it's going to be a reality and I still can't believe it is."

"As soon as I stepped into Richmond I just knew I'd 110 percent made the right decision. I love this footy club, they've taken me in and they're just unbelievable. I knew it was going to be great but it's above and beyond what I could have ever thought."

Jack Riewoldt says big-name recruit Tom Lynch has fitted in seamlessly in the Tigers' forward line as they prepare for their first final together.

"We would have loved to have played some more football together, and that's just part of the AFL, injuries and whatnot, but I feel like we've worked well," Riewoldt said.

"We're in a different position, because this football club hasn't had a second key forward for a long time, and it's really exciting.

"Credit to Tom, he's fitted in seamlessly and provided that second – no, first – key role. Really, I'm the second key forward now and I've really enjoyed it."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he can't fault the impact made by former Sun Tom Lynch at his new club.

"I think what people have to realise is we brought Tom Lynch to this footy club, not necessarily for the output of Tom, but to win games," Hardwick said of Lynch.

"He's been so important to the way we play, the ability to bring the ball to ground and give those players another opportunity. He's incredibly important to us."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick dismisses criticism of Tom Lynch after the key forward's modest production in recent weeks.

Despite sitting equal-second in the race for the Coleman Medal with 17 goals, Lynch has been held to just one major from his past three games leading media pundits such as Matthew Lloyd to label him a "liability".

"At the end of the day, it's easy to sit behind a keyboard and throw out barbs, isn't it? But we certainly know what we value Tom for … he's an incredible player for us, and he's going to get better," Hardwick said.

Lynch had a very limited pre-season after two surgeries on his PCL, and didn't play a practice match before round one.

"He'll always be working back from that, it's a significant injury that saw him miss six months of footy," Hardwick said.

"It does take time. People forget that when you have injuries of a significant nature, it takes time to get back to your absolute best. He's working incredibly hard and we're happy with his progress."

After months of speculation, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick declares Tom Lynch will play in their 2019 season opener against Carlton.

"Tom will play his first game for the footy club, which is very exciting for us," Hardwick said.

"Our list management team did a great job getting a quality person and quality player to our club, and he'll get his first opportunity to play his role."

According to official figures to be released by the AFL in its 2018 Annual Report, six AFL players earned more than $1 million in 2018.

Richmond's Dustin Martin, Fremantle's Nathan Fyfe, Sydney's Lance Franklin, Tom Lynch (Gold Coast in 2018), GWS' Jeremy Cameron and Western Bulldogs' Tom Boyd are believed to be the six.

West Coast's Nic Naitanui is likely to have earned more than $900,000, and Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury, while not earning as much as previous seasons, would also have been around this range.

Tom Lynch admits he is racing the clock for Richmond's season-opener against Carlton as he begins competitive training for the first time this pre-season.

"I've been in and out of drills at the moment, I started my competitive work last week and over the next two weeks I'll look to really ramp that up," Lynch said.

Tom Lynch remains more than a fortnight away from entering Tigers match simulation as doubt grows over his prospects for round one.

Four weeks out from the season opener against Carlton on March 21, Lynch continues to work closely with club fitness staff on his running style after a PCL surgery last July.

Melbourne recruit Steven May says he is looking forward to playing against his former Suns co-captain, and Tiger recruit, Tom Lynch in 2019.

"We were talking about the Anzac Day Eve game. He said he was looking forward to playing on me, but I said I'd probably be playing on the best forward and that's Jack Riewoldt," May said.

"There's a bit of banter going on, but for him as well it's an exciting time. We're obviously great mates and we're living pretty close to each other, so I can't wait."

Tom Lynch is official a Tiger after Gold Coast refrained from matching Richmond's seven year offer to the restricted free agent.

"Tom is clearly a talented footballer, but he also has great leadership qualities and a strong work ethic," Richmond football manager Neil Balme said.

"At only 25 years of age, he is an exciting prospect and has many years of good football ahead of him."

Tom Lynch fronts the media for first time as a Richmond player.

"There's a fair few more media here for starters," Lynch said about the difference between Gold Coast and Richmond.

"Dimma (coach Damien Hardwick) just showed me around for the first time – there's black and gold everywhere, yellow and black sorry – so it's great."

Richmond lodge the paperwork to secure restricted free agent Tom Lynch on a deal reported to be for six years and worth $6 million.

Tom Lynch officially tells Gold Coast he wants to join Richmond.

Lynch admitted at a spring racing launch that it was "strange" watching Richmond's finals campaign, knowing he would almost certainly be there in 2019.

"It was a bit strange, because obviously Gold Coast didn't make finals," Lynch told reporters.

"I obviously wasn't with the Tigers then and it's a bit of a strange feeling. You feel a bit in limbo – you're between clubs a bit – so it was just a bit more of a strange feeling, more than anything."

Tom Lynch's manager Paul Connors says his client would still be a Sun if the club had success on the field.

Connors agreed some 'tiny' things could have been handled better during negotiations, but declared, "If Gold Coast play finals, he's captain of that club for 10 years."

Tom Lynch has made official the worst-kept secret in the AFL, telling Gold Coast he wants to leave to join a Victorian club.

Lynch informed the Suns, including his teammates, of his decision after returning from Melbourne, where he underwent season-ending knee surgery.

The Suns responded by stripping Lynch of his co-captaincy.

"The club will continue to assist Tom with his rehabilitation from injury, however he won’t be part of the football program for the remainder of the season," Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans said.

Tom Lynch has met with Collingwood for the second time in two weeks as he edges closer to making a decision on his future.

Less than a fortnight after meeting with coach Nathan Buckley, Lynch was joined by player manager Robbie D'Orazio and Pies list boss Ned Guy for more than an hour at his family's property in Blairgowrie on Monday.

Suns coach Stuart Dew says he has no issues with Magpies coach Nathan Buckley talking to free agent Tom Lynch.

"We understand he's got a decision to make. Clubs and players need to be well informed, so we're not naive to think these things don't go on," Dew said.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley confirms having met with in-demand Suns star Tom Lynch.

"I don’t think there's too many coaches who wouldn't want him," Buckley told Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

"Lynch is a player I can see fitting into our structure really well and making us a better team. If that's an indication of our interest in him, so be it."

Suns coach Stuart Dew concedes the club will be unlikely to retain the services of Tom Lynch in 2019 and beyond.

"I think history suggests that if you don't know at round 18, and he's our captain, it's not looking great, but that's the reality of AFL footy," Dew said.

Cyril Rioli's retirement should give Hawthorn enough salary cap space to land both Tom Lynch and Rory Sloane.

The Hawks have been strongly linked to Lynch for much of this season, but face stiff competition from Richmond and Collingwood for the Gold Coast co-captain's signature if he decides to come home to Victoria.

More recently, Hawthorn has emerged as a contender for Adelaide star Sloane. Again, it will have a fight on its hands if he chooses to leave West Lakes, with St Kilda and Essendon among the clubs understood to have their hats in the ring.

Tom Lynch will undergo knee surgery and miss the remainder of the 2018 season.

Lynch suffered a recurrence of the posterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out of four games earlier in the season and has been advised surgery is the best option.

"I’ve been doing all I can to rehab the injury without requiring surgery. That has meant I haven’t been able to get out there and train with the team during the week like you normally would," Lynch said.

"We’ve been assessing my knee weekly and the latest advice recommends surgery and I’ll get that done as soon as possible."

Gold Coast CEO says Mark Evans says it's up to the club to persuade Tom Lynch to stay.

"Tom is a restricted free agent, so it would need to be (a rival club) would clear many millions of dollars out of their salary cap so we couldn't possibly match it. It won't come down to a financial decision," Evans said.

"The things that I think are important to him is a great relationship with a coach he thinks is a modern coach and great communicator.

"What Tom needs to see is the hope that Stuart Dew, Craig Cameron, Jon Haines, Steven May and other important leaders around the placeare going to help him get to a premiership in his time."

Alex Rance has doubts about whether Richmond should be going after Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch as a free agent, arguing that it may unsettle the club's list management and team structure.

"I don't necessarily believe that we should be upsetting the apple cart, to go and chase a big fish ... he (Lynch) is the big tuna," Rance said.

"I think you always have to look at the big picture when it comes to these things."

Tom Lynch will miss a month of football after suffering a recurrence of the PCL injury that sidelined him late last season.

Despite the reoccurrence of Lynch's injury, Gold Coast's general manager of football operations Jon Haines says there are no long-term concerns.

"We certainly want to look after Tom’s long-term health and set him up for the back half of the year," Haines said.

Suns coach Stuart Dew says he is unperturbed by media speculation surrounding Tom Lynch's future.

"The club, myself, Tom and his management, all four parties are really comfortable," Dew said.

"In terms of it being a distraction, it's not. It'll play out in time.

"I understand the fascination with the captain of a footy club. The fact I understand it, it doesn't bother me."

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has reiterated the League will not offer Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch a paid ambassadorial role while he weighs up his future ahead of his impending free agency.

"Let's be really clear on that. He has to make a decision based on the merits of staying at the Gold Coast Football Club," McLachlan said.

"The highest-paid ambassadors – three of the top four, I think – are with Melbourne clubs. That will have no bearing on whether Tom Lynch re-signs or not."

A record nine players earned more than $1 million in 2017 as the rich got richer under the new collective bargaining agreement.

Lance Franklin is understood to have been one of the competition's highest-paid players last season, with Tom Boyd, Scott Pendlebury, Nathan Fyfe and then Gold Coast teammates Gary Ablett and Tom Lynch widely believed within industry circles to have also earned seven-figure salaries.

It is likely some of 2017's millionaires are on contracts wherein their average yearly salary is less than $1 million, but their deals were front- or back-ended last season to top seven figures. Sources identified Dayne Beams and Michael Hurley as players in this category.

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin and teammate Dion Prestia would also have been among the AFL's top earners in 2017.

Tom Lynch and Steven May will again co-captain Gold Coast in 2018.

Ruckman Jarrod Witts and midfielder Pearce Hanley have been added to a leadership group that again contains David Swallow, Matt Rosa, Michael Barlow and Touk Miller.

Michael Rischitelli has stepped aside from the role.

"Both Tom and Steven have been extremely invested in the program since my arrival," Suns head coach Stuart Dew said.

"The eight-man leadership group will work closely with myself and the entire football department to ensure we can create an environment that is aligned to our values and provides the best possible opportunity for growth both on and off the field."

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew says he never considered stripping the captaincy from out-of-contract forward Tom Lynch.

"He is fully invested in the footy club," Dew said of Lynch on Sportsday WA radio.

"In this day and age, players are invested where they are and that's all we can ask of him now – and I can't question it now, particularly as our skipper."

Tom Lynch won't be rushed on his free agency decision, saying he has no timeframe on deciding where his future lies beyond 2018.

"I just want to, every day, improve the footy club and see where we're going," he said.

"I want to see Gold Coast succeed, that's my first priority, my only priority to be honest."

Tom Lynch's manager Robbie D’Orazio says his client may be tempted to leave the Suns at the end of 2018 if the club does not start performing on the field.

"Tom is a competitive beast and wants to win games of football, and obviously win premierships," D’Orazio said.

"By midway through next year, if they're 0-11 but they're competing, that might be OK. But if they're 0-11 and getting smashed then we'll wait and see."

Tom Lynch will miss the final three matches of the year after suffering an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Fremantle.

Suns coach Rodney Eade reveals Tom Lynch's recent forum slump has been due to an back injury that the forward has been carrying.

After two goalless outings, Lynch bounced back to his best in the Suns' 19-point win over North Melbourne, kicking five goals and having a huge influence with 20 disposals and eight marks.

"It was quite debilitating for him," Eade said of Lynch's injury.

"He didn't show it, which I thought was quite tough of him.

"His back seized up and he struggled last week. He didn't train last week, hardly trained this week and could barely touch his ankles let alone his toes."

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade says Tom Lynch needs to stop wrestling and start running more.

Although not having a bad season, Lynch has been considerably down on his spectacular 2016 All Australian form in recent weeks.

It came to a head against Carlton when Liam Jones kept the 24-year-old goalless and restricted him to just one mark.

"We had a look at some tape and things he's not doing at the moment that he does when he's playing well and the way he needs to go about it," Eade said.

"Tom is obviously a very good mark and has got long arms, but he needs to be on the move. There were some examples where Tom could have got on his bike and moved around.

"I think that's been a pattern for three of the last four weeks. I think he was aware of it but probably hadn't done anything about it."

Geelong coach Chris Scott has called out Gold Coast counterpart Rodney Eade for seeking AFL clarification on umpiring decisions, saying the move could have benefits for the Suns this week.

Eade put in a call to umpires coach Hayden Kennedy on Tuesday to discuss two decisions in his team's loss to North Melbourne, also complaining about the umpiring in his post-match press conference last Saturday night.

Speaking as the Cats flew out of Melbourne on Friday to play Gold Coast, Scott said it was a move the Suns had benefited from against his team last year, when Eade complained about the treatment of his star forward Tom Lynch.

"I think sometimes saying you've rung the umpires and got some clarification around some rules can have a benefit," Scott said.

"Last year we played Gold Coast and Rodney Eade had made some comments about Tom Lynch being manhandled and he (Lynch) got two dubious free kicks early in the game.

"So sometimes it works, I notice he's done it again."

Tom Lynch kicks a career-high seven goals from 19 possessions and 12 marks to lead Gold Coast to a 26-point win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

"I've got five a fair few times now, so it was good to just get over that. I couldn't get six, so it's good to get seven," Lynch said post-match.

Jarrod Harbrow and Gary Ablett are dropped from the Suns' leadership group for 2017.

Harbrow and Ablett are replaced by off-season recruit Michael Barlow and midfielder Touk Miller.

Michael Rischitelli, Matt Rosa and David Swallow have held their spots in the group, alongside co-captains Steven May and Tom Lynch.

"Michael Rischitelli, Matt Rosa and David Swallow are already established leaders at our football club and in Michael and David's case they've been playing that role for some time," Suns coach Rodney Eade said.

"Similar to Matty Rosa last year, Michael Barlow has made an immediate impact on the playing group, leading by example on and off the field, and his elevation to the player leadership group demonstrates the influence he has had on the team in a relatively short period of time."

Gold Coast names Tom Lynch and Steven May as co-captains ahead of the 2017 season.

The pair replaces Gary Ablett, who recently stepped down as skipper after six seasons at the helm, having unsuccessfully requested a trade back to Geelong at the end of this season.

"The one outstanding thing is the respect they've got of their teammates, so when they speak, the players listen," Suns coach Rodney Eade said.

"They've got a great ability to not only demand standards and challenge their teammates, but they've got good empathy. That's really stood out."

Lynch said having Ablett on the field alongside him in 2017 would be a huge help to both he and May.

"Gary's been fantastic for us and I know we'll have to lean on him at certain stages," Lynch said.

May went a step further, saying he couldn't imagine taking over the role without Ablett as a teammate.

"Having Gaz still around to help us with the transition is great. If he were to retire or leave, we wouldn't have that captain around," May said.

Barry Hall says he can help Tom Lynch become an even more dangerous forward than he already is.

"As a leader you have to try and change stuff, and he has got that," he said.

"I'm excited and that's why I love watching him. He is considered one of the best key forwards in the game and he's got so much improvement still in his game."

Tom Lynch has made it back-to-back best and fairests for Gold Coast with a runaway win at Southport Sharks Events Centre on Friday night.

The vice-captain celebrated an emphatic victory, racking up 209 votes to win by 80 from nearest challenger Jarrod Harbrow (129).

Versatile third-year player Jack Martin finished third on 102 votes.

"I'm proud of the achievement," Lynch said.

"I think I've got a fair bit to improve on.

"I can still improve on my strength. Another pre-season under JC (high performance manager Justin Cordy), who has made a massive improvement for me, just made me quicker, a bit more dynamic, so I'm looking forward to improving that.

"I can still improve my goalkicking. I kicked pretty well this year, but towards the end I missed a few I'd like to have kicked."

Tom Lynch has declared himself ready to take on the Gold Coast captaincy if the club chooses to give him the responsibility next season.

"At the start of the year I don't think I was ready for it, but I feel like I am becoming more comfortable in the role," Lynch said.

"[I'm] not thinking too much about next year but feel like I have improved during the season."

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade has spoken to the umpiring department about the treatment of Tom Lynch, believing the full-forward got a raw deal against North Melbourne.

"There were certainly at least three, probably five (free) kicks that were missed last week," Eade said.

Eade said his spearhead had to work around the issues though.

"Tom, to his credit, and probably his positive play, is not a stay-at-home, anchor, big full-forward, like some of them are," Eade said.

"He's got the ability to move, mark on the angles, mark coming up to the footy, can play up the ground as well.

"Tom, hopefully, gets the ball outside 50 and sets them (goals) up."

Tom lynch has re-signs with Gold Coast for a further two years and will remain at the club until the end of 2018.

"It was always my intention to re-sign with the Suns and I felt there was no better time to do it," Lynch said.

"We’ve worked hard, especially during the last six to 12 months, to grow our leadership and shift our culture, and although the job is not done yet, there is a real sense of urgency and excitement about the future."

Tom lynch has won the Gold Coast best and fairest award, winning a tight count at Southport's Sharks Event Centre on Friday night.

Lynch (131 votes) used a stirring second half of the season to edge out second-year defender Kade Kolodjashnij (129).

Reliable full-back Steven May (102) was third despite missing three matches after being suspended for an early-season bump on Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff.

"I think at the end of my career I can look book and be proud that I've won a club best and fairest," Lynch said.

"When I got drafted all I wanted to do was play one game. I'm quite proud I've managed to win a club best and fairest."

Steven May says his heated quarter-time exchange with Tom Lynch on Saturday was all about keeping every Gold Coast player accountable, no matter what their stature in the team.

May was quick to drag Lynch away from quarter-time melee against the Brisbane Lions, giving the fired-up forward a few choice words as they left the scuffle.

Lynch, a Suns leader who has occasionally filled in as skipper in Gary Ablett's absence, pushed May away as the pair continued the exchange.

"Before the game, 'Lynchy' brought us in and spoke about a few standards we wanted to maintain against the Lions," May said.

"I just noticed he was getting caught into it too much, so I just ran over to pull him out.

"He turned around and pushed me out of frustration.

"I was just keeping him accountable to what he spoke to us about before the game."

Steven May is involved in a heated quarter-time exchange with Tom Lynch in Gold Coast's QClash victory over the Brisbane Lions, but Suns coach Rodney Eade says he has no problem with it.

Emotions boiled over at quarter-time when Lynch was late to spoil a marking attempt from Lion Stefan Martin and the incident brought players in from everywhere to remonstrate.

May pushed Lynch as they left the field in the wake of the melee, and appeared to deliver some heated words.

"Steve's become a really good leader so he will challenge his teammates and he will demand more from his teammates, especially guys not doing the right things," Eade said.

"There might be certain stages when he'll do that, which we think is a good thing."

Tom Lynch says he is keen for his partner in the Gold Coast forward line, Charlie Dixon, to stay at the Suns next year.

"I love playing with him. I think we work well together," Lynch said.

"Throughout the year if one's been down, the other one's been up, so we're complementing each other.

"I think he will sign. He does love the club and I hope he signs. He'll be a massive boost for us if we sign him on."

Tom Lynch will miss the Suns' round one clash with Melbourne after accepting a one-game suspension from the Match Review Panel.

Lynch becomes the first player banned under the AFL's new Tribunal guidelines, which have been introduced for this season.

He was charged with engaging in rough play against Greater Western Sydney's Matt Buntine during Saturday's NAB Challenge game at Blacktown.

David Swallow has won his first Gold Coast club champion award, edging out fellow vice-captains Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia in a thrilling count at the Sharks Event Centre.

Swallow is the first man to unseat captain Gary Ablett as the Suns' best and fairest in the club's four-year history.

Tom Lynch and Brandon Matera have quickly developed into one of the most productive big man-small man forward line combinations in the AFL in 2014.

"Our team has obviously played a lot better this year and the ball's coming in on our terms," Matera said.

"Obviously I've worked a lot with Lynchy and the tall fellas, getting to the fall of the ball.

"The talls bring it to the ground and (I'm) getting there and helping out, and I've been lucky enough to kick a few."

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna says Tom Lynch will follow in the path of St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt in becoming the competition's premier centre half-forward.

"You look at one of the hardest working centre half-forwards in the competition in Nick Riewoldt - he's (Lynch) down that path," McKenna said about Lynch who had 21 disposals and 8 marks against North Melbourne.

"When he gets fit and fills out still, I pity the defender that has to mark him because he's in for a torrid time."

Gary Ablett will remain Gold Coast's captain for a fourth straight season, while the Suns have elevated youngsters David Swallow, Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch into their leadership group.

Swallow, Prestia and Lynch will join Nathan Bock and Michael Rischitelli as vice captains.

"We have been really pleased with the way our playing group has evolved," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said.

"Our experienced guys, like Gary, Nathan and Michael, have had a huge task in not just establishing and growing our club but also our players, and for us now to be in a position to elevate some of our inaugural season debutants can be attributed to their great work."

Tom Lynch extends his contract with Gold Coast until the end of 2016.

"We are rapt that Tom has re-committed to the club until the end of 2016," Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton said.

"Tom is a quality young man, who is forging a great reputation as an emerging leader internally at the Gold Coast Football Club and that is coinciding with his continued progression as a player."

Young Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch says playing on Nick Riewoldt in defence was a great learning experience.

"I didn't expect to go back on him but it was an awesome experience," Lynch said.

"Hopefully there's a lot of things I can take and implement into my game and learn off him because he's a gun of the game."

Gold Coast has tied another one of its long-term prospects to the club long-term, re-signing promising forward Tom Lynch.

It's great to sign with the club for the next few seasons," Lynch said.

"I'm really enjoying playing with my teammates and being part of Gold Coast and believe together we will enjoy success in the future."

Tom Lynch makes his AFL debut for Gold Coast at the Gabba with 17 disposals (12 kicks and 5 handballs), 9 marks, a tackle, 4 hitouts and 2 goals in an 8-point win over Brisbane.