AUSSIE RULES Tigers ready to unleash Lynch

WATCH out Carlton – the wrecking ball that is Tom Lynch is coming your way again.

Footy’s biggest burning question was yesterday answered in two words, with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick declaring, “He’s playing” when asked about the big-name Tigers recruit and his chances of lining up in tonight’s season-opener against the Blues.

While good news for Richmond fans, who have been salivating at the prospect of seeing the former Gold Coast Suns co-captain in yellow and black, the Carlton faithful could be forgiven for having flashbacks of many a painful memory.

Champion Data statistics show Lynch has monstered the Blues more than any other side across his career and recorded his best goal-haul in a single game against the club – booting 8.1 while playing for the Suns in Round 2 last season.

Lynch has played seven games against Carlton since 2012, averaging 17.7 disposals, 6.9 marks, eight score involvements and four goals from those matches. In five of the seven games, he has kicked four or more goals.

The 26-year-old’s career average for goals stands at less than half that – 1.9 a game – and his best record against any of the 16 other sides is an average of 2.9 goals a game against West Coast.

The statistics provide reason why the Tigers have decided to roll the dice on Lynch, who has not played since Round 14 last season due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 193cm key forward did not play in either of the Tigers’ pre-season matches and has taken part in only limited match simulation, but proved his fitness in a test on Tuesday.

Hardwick said he expected Lynch to be managed slightly and play “75, 80 per cent of game time” against the Blues, but he had shown big improvement in his recovery over the past two weeks.

“He’s going to get better and better every game he plays,” Hardwick said.

“Our medical staff did a terrific job. They spoke about that there will be a significant turning point and you’ll see that and we’ve seen that over the last two weeks where his work rate, his ability to create contests and that is starting to get to the level that we know.

“Tom had to be confident that he could perform at the level and he’s putting his hand up as well, which is always a great sign for a coach.”

Hardwick said while it remained to be seen how Lynch and fellow key forward Jack Riewoldt would work together, he was simply looking for the basics from the pair for a start.

“Over the JLT I think we gave up a lot of marks inside our forward 50 and Tom will help bring the ball to ground as well as Jack,” he said.

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