Tom Lynch has 'a lot to learn', says Tigers champion
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...arn-says-tigers-champion-20190320-p515z2.html
Boom Richmond recruit Tom Lynch’s development was stymied at Gold Coast, who failed to exploit his potential, says champion Tigers defender Alex Rance.
Rance also said Lynch and Jack Riewoldt on the Richmond forward line would be the equal of the Lance Franklin-Jarryd Roughead combination from Hawthorn’s halcyon days.
Tom Lynch's lack of polish shows up at training sometimes, says teammate Alex Rance.Credit:Justin McManus
Rance said what had surprised him about all-Australian Lynch since he arrived at Punt Road was how much he still had to learn.
‘‘Lynchy’s development [at Richmond] has shown to me the lack of development that Gold Coast had,’’ said Rance, speaking at the MCC’s footy season launch.
‘‘He’s a natural freak. Players like him and [David] Swallow and [Jaeger] O’Meara, who are just natural freaks; they were always going to shine through and be really good players.’’
But Rance imagined that there were players at Gold Coast who like him were not instant stars and are now out of the game. ‘‘[They] missed out on an opportunity because of development.
‘‘I think Gold Coast really missed the mark there. They didn’t put enough support, from a soft-cap perspective, around those players.’’
Rance said Lynch’s lack of polish still showed at training sometimes. ‘‘I even see some stuff now with Lynchy [and] I’m like, ‘Why are you doing that?’ ’’ he said.
‘‘It’s just because he’s such a freak athlete and a freak footballer that he gets through. But I think his next three years to five years will be something really special.’’
Rance said he envisaged only good for the way Lynch would work with Riewoldt, the Tigers’ star forward-in-residence. He said it was important to remember that Riewoldt’s best year, 2017, was not his most prolific, but it led to a Richmond premiership.
‘‘His selflessness and awareness reminds me a lot of the Franklin-Roughead combination,’’ he said. ‘‘Buddy was by far the more talented, but Roughy was the better architect.
‘‘Roughy could see where the space was going to be and naturally draw his player away. I think Jack can be that for Lynchy. He can give Lynchy a one-on-one with a smaller match-up.
‘‘Jack’s a very, very smart footballer, has a very good footy brain, and is very very selfless now That’s a very dangerous combo, and I’m really excited.’’
After a limited pre-season, Lynch has been picked to make his Richmond debut in tonight’s season-opener against Carlton before an expected crowd near to 90,000.
Rance said it might take him a while to adapt.
‘‘He’s probably only played out there twice in his career,’’ said Rance, nodding towards the MCG arena.
‘‘It’s going to be 10 times the crowd he’s used to playing in front of. A lot of things will go into his nerves. But I am confident, he’s an all-Australian. He’s a fantastic player.’’
The match also will be Rance’s 200th.
fmd Rance .
Couldn’t have said it better myself
