FLIGHT CLUB
How Lynch’s exit sparked a war of words at Suns
GOLD Coast players traded barbs in a tense meeting where co-captain Tom Lynch announced his decision to quit the club and return to Melbourne.
Lynch was attacked for his lack of loyalty by several younger players in a fiery meeting on Thursday before foundation Sun David Swallow and the older players took offence and leapt to his defence.
Swallow berated the younger players for what he perceived were unfair attacks on Lynch’s character and integrity before rushing out to console his long-time friend who was stunned at the outburst.
Touk Miller was the most outspoken in his disapproval of Lynch from among the eight-man leadership group and was followed by young players Lachie Weller, Jack Bowes and Brayden Fiorini, who were invited to the special meeting by the football department to offer feedback.
Lynch later addressed the entire team in another meeting.
The Suns have confirmed there were strong words exchanged in the leadership meeting but said it demonstrated great growth from the next generation of leaders.
They insist the leadership group were united in the belief Lynch be stripped of the captaincy. However other insiders are uneasy at the messy nature of Lynch’s departure.
Some feel he was ambushed by the presence of Weller, Bowes and Fiorini in the meeting.
Lynch did not wish to comment when contacted yesterday, saying he wanted to let things settle first.
Evans was on the front foot yesterday declaring the AFL industry was given a black eye by Collingwood’s public courtship of Lynch.
Although he understood Pies coach Nathan Buckley and officials from other clubs needed to meet with Lynch to attempt to lure him, the public nature of Collingwood’s courtship pushed forward discussions that could have waited until the end of the season.
“The last two weeks haven’t been terrific for the code I don’t think, in terms of this issue,’’ he said.
Evans said there had been no decision on whether or not the Suns would match any free agency offer for Lynch but declared all options remained open.
Buckley and Suns coach Stuart Dew spoke on Thursday night, hours after Lynch, 25, was shown the door.