Poachers in wings as Crows, Lynch talk

ADELAIDE’S contract dealings with Tom Lynch could expose the influential forward to rival poachers.

Both parties have different opinions on what Lynch is worth as the Victorian prepares to return from illness against his former side St Kilda tomorrow night.

It’s believed the length of the deal, as well as money, are the sticking points.

The situation, while not ideal for either camp, is countered by the fact it’s only Round 3 and Lynch is yet to play this season after a side strain and a virus kept him out of the opening two games.

The 27-year-old has also made his career at Adelaide, which got a steal in 2012 when the Saints let the former No.13 draft pick go in exchange for pick 37 after three years.

But after losing Jake Lever to Melbourne in the off-season for a better contract offer — and the go-home factor — Lynch’s future remains a watching brief in Adelaide and across the competition.

The Crows are also busy negotiating a new deal for star midfielder Rory Sloane, having last month tied All-Australian defender Rory Laird to a threeyear extension.

Sources said an agreement between Lynch and Adelaide, while not miles away on paper, is some time away from being formalised.

Reports in February that the Crows were “low-balling” Lynch, an accusation that surfaced during the Lever negotiations, appear overblown.

“All I would say is that it is laughable what gets put around in the media about different contracts and different players at different times of the year,” Crows powerbroker Mark Ricciuto said on Adelaide radio in February. “It is laughable when you actually know what is going on.”