The Coon Dog
16 Jun 2007, 08:16
Teen set for 'home' debut (http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/teen-set-for-home-debut/2007/06/15/1181414549878.html)
The Age - 16 June
http://realfooty.com.au/ffximage/2007/06/15/wbFOOTYlynch.jpg
Bulldogs Darwin recruit Malcolm Lynch.
TIWI Islands teenager Malcolm Lynch will have taken the long way around when he makes his AFL debut in Darwin today.
While it seems ideal the latest Tiwi product to find a place in top-flight football should start his career in the Northern Territory, the 19-year-old Western Bulldog — named to line-up against Fremantle at Tio Stadium on Saturday night — had to decamp to a rugby league heartland to get there.
Lynch will get his chance in the Bulldogs line-up due to the absence of Daniel Cross and Ryan Griffen, who both received knee injuries in last weekend's win over the Brisbane Lions.
A product of Sydney's St Ignatius College, which counts Sydney's Leo Barry among alumni, Lynch has the makings of another indigenous footballing star, according to senior teammate Luke Darcy.
"He's a great lad — he's young and skinny and lightning quick and has all the skills the Aboriginal boys have," Darcy said. "It would be a bit of a fairytale debut and obviously he would have a lot of family in that part of the world.
"He played the pre-season game and kicked three goals against Sydney. He has got all the talent, and he's fitted into the place sensationally well.
"So it would be a great story if he got a game."
That NAB Cup game against the Swans confirmed the talent which attracted the Bulldogs to take the lightweight speedster at pick 66 overall the last AFL draft.
While his 178-centimetre, 68-kilogram physique may not be imposing, the teenager's 2.83-second 20-metre sprint could not be ignored.
"If he can be taught to capitalise on his big leap with overhead marking he will be a worry to match up on for small and tall opponents," Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton said.
The Age - 16 June
http://realfooty.com.au/ffximage/2007/06/15/wbFOOTYlynch.jpg
Bulldogs Darwin recruit Malcolm Lynch.
TIWI Islands teenager Malcolm Lynch will have taken the long way around when he makes his AFL debut in Darwin today.
While it seems ideal the latest Tiwi product to find a place in top-flight football should start his career in the Northern Territory, the 19-year-old Western Bulldog — named to line-up against Fremantle at Tio Stadium on Saturday night — had to decamp to a rugby league heartland to get there.
Lynch will get his chance in the Bulldogs line-up due to the absence of Daniel Cross and Ryan Griffen, who both received knee injuries in last weekend's win over the Brisbane Lions.
A product of Sydney's St Ignatius College, which counts Sydney's Leo Barry among alumni, Lynch has the makings of another indigenous footballing star, according to senior teammate Luke Darcy.
"He's a great lad — he's young and skinny and lightning quick and has all the skills the Aboriginal boys have," Darcy said. "It would be a bit of a fairytale debut and obviously he would have a lot of family in that part of the world.
"He played the pre-season game and kicked three goals against Sydney. He has got all the talent, and he's fitted into the place sensationally well.
"So it would be a great story if he got a game."
That NAB Cup game against the Swans confirmed the talent which attracted the Bulldogs to take the lightweight speedster at pick 66 overall the last AFL draft.
While his 178-centimetre, 68-kilogram physique may not be imposing, the teenager's 2.83-second 20-metre sprint could not be ignored.
"If he can be taught to capitalise on his big leap with overhead marking he will be a worry to match up on for small and tall opponents," Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton said.