Tigers have cash to pinch Lynch

RICHMOND have armed themselves with enough salary cap space to poach Gold Coast Suns star Tom Lynch.

The reigning premiers are confident they can afford the restricted free agent just 12 months after they re-signed Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin on the richest contract in Tigers history.

Lynch, 25, is likely to command about $1.2 million a season from 2019. That means a five-year contract would cost about $6 million.

Last year the Tigers signed Martin on a seven-year deal worth more than $8 million.

The Tigers have long held an interest in Lynch, who would be reunited with former Suns teammate Dion Prestia at the Melbourne club.

The pair spent six years together after Prestia was drafted at No.9 and Lynch at No.10 in 2010.

Richmond’s war chest might surprise some of their players, who accepted smaller contracts last year because they believed the salary cap was tight.

Lynch’s biggest offer is likely to come from the Suns and his commitment to new coach Stuart Dew would be a major boost to the future of the club. THE hardest road trip of the season has become even tougher for Burleigh as they head into their Round 2 game against Noosa today depleted of talent across the ground.

Five players including defenders Roland Hall, Daniel Turner and Bryce Joynson and forwards Jasper Schoenmaker and Peter Moore will be absent from the QFA Division One game due to work commitments.

“It will be a tough road trip,” Burleigh Bombers coach Greg Mitchell said.

“We knew it was going to be difficult early in the year.”

Noosa played in last season’s grand final but lost their opening game this season against Springwood.

“They will be strong so we will see if we can stick at it for long enough,” Mitchell said.

The Bombers will welcome back forward Tom Kennett to their side and have named QFA senior debutants in Matt Brough, 22, and Sam Schlaghecke, 17.

Mitchell said the duo, who are Burleigh juniors, would provide added run on the outside for the Bombers.

“We are not gifting them games, they have earnt them,” Mitchell said.