Lynch decision no clearer

THE TOM Lynch saga could come to a head as early as next week when he returns to the Gold Coast to meet with the club’s hierarchy.

Lynch flew into Melbourne on Sunday for a posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction today, which will likely see him laid up for a week.

But the Suns could not have been clearer on their intent to get a definitive answer in the short-term given the continued uncertainty around their list.

He is expected to remain in Melbourne for a week before consulting his surgeon to assess his progress post-operation.

Then he will return to the club where they expect an immediate answer.

They believe Lynch will be in a position to tell them whether he is going to stay — which they do not consider is an option — or will take up his free agency rights.

The single silver lining in the club’s continued poor season is they now seem destined to finish second last.

It means a compensation pick for their co-captain would be situated at pick three, a superior outcome to any trade they could secure after matching his free agency bid.

Lynch has remained staunch that he wanted to get through his operation before considering his future at the club. Their belief is that if he has not committed by Round 17 they have lost all hope.

The off-season of change at the club is also likely to see highly rated fitness boss Justin Cordy, out of contract, move on from the Suns.

He was secured in 2015 in a lucrative and contentious poaching move that saw Dogs coach Luke Beveridge furious at his departure. AFL chief op- erating officer Gillon McLachlan said his move from the Dogs to Gold Coast had an inflationary effect on the league given his big pay packet.

The club has already informed assistant coaches Andy Lovell and Matt Primus they will be moving on.

Lynch’s loss will leave the Suns with pick two, three, West Coast’s first-round pick (currently 17) and with two second-rounders tied to Essendon and Geelong. A decision would give Richmond, Collingwood and Hawthorn carte blanche to introduce him to their senior players, coach and hierarchy.

Lynch’s sister plays VFLW with Richmond and his family has barracked for Collingwood.

All clubs vying for Lynch would expect to play finals next year and have established forwards already, meaning he is not the messiah at any of the three clubs.