Main goal to retain Lynch
MIDFIELDER Jarryd Lyons says Gold Coast can make Tom Lynch’s decision to stay an easy one if the Suns continue their early-season form.
Lynch – a free agent at the end of this season – has said Gold Coast’s performances in 2018 under new coach Stuart Dew will play a role in whether he remains in Queensland or not.
Lyons believes the Suns co-captain would like what he has seen so far after opening the season with wins against North Melbourne and Carlton.
“Hopefully, we can make that decision a little bit easier for him and continue to put those performances on the board,” Lyons said.
“That will certainly take care of itself if we can keep playing good footy.”
The key forward kicked a club record eight goals for the Suns in their 34-point win over the Blues at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Lynch – who could have bagged more but gifted some goals to his teammates – was left goalless against the Kangaroos but Lyons said he couldn’t separate his performances in either game.
“If you look back to last week’s game, it was almost just as impressive in those conditions with the way he crashes packs and puts his body on the line every time.
“It’s something he has been working on. He loves the footy club so it’s awesome to see.”
Lynch kicked 44 goals last season – 22 fewer than in 2016 – while battling injury but Lyons said the key forward was back to his best.
“It’s a credit to Tommy who has put in a lot of hard work over the pre-season to get his body back to where he can play his best footy.
“It showed (on Saturday) that he is certainly in the right frame of mind and in really good form.
“When he is like that he is pretty tough to stop. All we have to do is get it in there and he can do the rest.”
IT WAS ALMOST JUST AS IMPRESSIVE IN THOSE CONDITIONS WITH THE WAY HE CRASHES PACKS AND PUTS HIS BODY ON THE LINE EVERY TIME JARRYD LYONS