Lynch’s hit focus as Tigers progress
RICHMOND’S anger management problems flared again in Friday night’s semi-final with serial offender Tom Lynch dropping his knee into St Kilda’s Dougal Howard in what will be the most replayed moment of the Tigers’ 12.8 (80) to 6.13 (49) win over the Saints.
Lynch’s baffling brain fade is set to see match review officer Michael Christian decide on Saturday whether he has a case to answer ahead of Friday night’s preliminary final blockbuster against Port Adelaide.
While the force of the incident is unlikely to see Lynch banned, it will be a nervous wait for the hothead who has already been fined for two dumb incidents this season.
Christian sent Lynch to the tribunal to explain himself after he committed a third offence, although he was found not guilty at the hearing.
Captain Trent Cotchin also laid a brutal tackle on Zak Jones in the first quarter at Metricon Stadium as the Tigers packed an unsociable – but largely contained – edge.
Lynch was labelled a “wanker” by Brisbane Lion Mitch Robinson after he shoved Alex Witherden’s head towards the turf as his pattern of undisciplined acts dominated headlines.
Melbourne great David Schwarz said Lynch was “not tough” and needed to “stop trying to be something you’re not”. The rest of the Tigers pulled their heads in after last week’s sloppy performance
where they gifted the Lions two goals from 50m penalties.
But Lynch gave away a 50m penalty when he threw Howard to the ground before the knee contact. Under the AFL’s tribunal guidelines, kneeing as a classifiable offence. Lynch was booed by the Metriconcrowd after the tangle.
Christian has form wiping players out in finals, suspending Geelong’s Tom Hawkins for last year’s preliminary final and banning Ben Long from Friday night’s game.
It was also another controversial night for the AFL’s goal review system, with what appeared to be a pair of consecutive errors costing St Kilda’s Jack Sinclair a second-quarter goal.
Tiger Nick Vlastuin attempted to touch the ball, but did not make contact, and the ball appeared to land over the goal line before bouncing back into play. It was then rushed through, with the field umpire missing the original goal and signalling a point.
The score reviewer then decided there was insufficient evidence to overturn the umpire’s call, even though TV replays appeared conclusive.