Lynch says no to any early AFL trade talk

GOLD Coast spearhead Tom Lynch won’t be returning home to Victoria in next month’s AFL trade period after knocking back overtures to make an early move.

Lynch, 25 next month, is poised to become the most wanted man in the game next season as clubs prepare million-dollar-a-year deals to land the superstar free agent.

In an attempt to bring the situation forward, clubs including Richmond were keen to pull off a deal for Lynch next month in what would have been a massive boost to its forward stocks.

The Tigers are armed with two first-round draft picks to help strike a trade deal, while Collingwood was also a strong suitor for the 121-game power forward.

But Lynch has advised the Suns and his agent Robbie D’Orazio he remained fully committed to leading Gold Coast in the final year of his contract in 2018.

It means no trade deals will be entertained in next month’s exchange period.

However, his future in the game beyond next season is still uncertain.

The Suns are desperate to secure Lynch to a long-term contract after losing some of their most important players in recent years including Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia.

The Suns will also likely part with former captain Gary Ablett next month or he will retire from the AFL.

Lynch, who became cocaptain this season, battled injury this year and wants to capture career-best form under a new coach in 2018 to help lift his club up the ladder.

He has not played a single Friday night game or final in his first seven years at the Suns. Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton this year labelled Lynch the No.1 player in the game.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has raised the prospect of making Lynch an AFL ambassador in Queensland if he re-signs, adding to his earning power.

It could help make Lynch up to another $50,000$100,000 a year on top of his Suns salary.

But Lynch will likely put off a decision on his future until the back half of next season as he focuses on reviving the club’s on-field prospects after another terrible year.

They finished second last on the ladder with only six wins in 2017. Lynch said this week he was excited about the challenge facing Gold Coast next year and wasn’t thinking about his contract.

“I actually haven’t thought about it because we don’t have a coach at the moment, so I think that’s first and foremost for a footy club – they’ll be sorting that out,” Lynch said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing who gets announced and it’ll be exciting time for us.

“As a club and as a playing group, we were really disappointed with our year.

“Obviously it’s not the standards we set or any club sets, to be honest.

“We’ll obviously get a new coach – that’ll be an exciting time, a fresh start and looking forward to next year and seeing what happens.”