He’s been the pantomime villain of the 2020 AFL season but as Tom Lynch prepares for a second straight grand final with Richmond, the forward is ignoring those who think his physical approach goes too far.
Lynch has been charged five times this year on striking and misconduct charges, racking up $3250 in fines but not missing a match through suspension.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has constantly defended Lynch’s approach throughout, dismissing any suggestion he needs to rein in the spearhead’s aggression.
That support is what matters to Lynch, who makes no apologies for his physical approach to the game.
“I don’t think you want to be disliked,” Lynch said.
“To be honest you just value the people you care about the most and I think it can be false when people love you and they don’t know you, or they if they hate you and they don’t know you.
“You can’t read too much into it. The main thing is people that know you closest, you care about what they think and their opinions on you.”
Of all the incidents which have been in the spotlight for Lynch, just one sits uncomfortably with him.
After a wrestle with Essendon’s Dougal Howard in the second week of the finals, Lynch appeared to drop a knee on the Bomber’s throat or collarbone, an action which led to a $750 sanction for misconduct.
While Lynch insists there was no intention or malice behind the incident, he did feel it was a bad look when he watched the contact post-match.
“I know it looked bad. It wasn’t a great look for the game,” Lynch said.
“I don’t want to be portrayed as that.
“I didn’t actually realise I did it on the day. People probably won’t believe me, but it doesn’t really matter.
“These things happen.”
Lynch is promising there’ll be no change to his approach in Saturday’s premiership decider at the Gabba against Geelong.
The 27-year-old, who can make it two flags in two years following his move to the Tigers from Gold Coast, will be out to get on top against an experienced Cats’ defence with two-time premiership-winning veteran defender Harry Taylor likely to be Lynch’s direct opponent.
“I know I’m playing my best footy when I’m aggressive going for that footy and just launching at that footy, making that my sole focus,” Lynch said.
“Obviously Harry has been a fantastic defender for a long time. I’ve played on him a lot over the last sort of 10 years. He’s a star backman in the competition and he’s gonna be tough.
“They’ve got a great backline as well, obviously (Lachie) Henderson’s in really good form and (Jack) Henry’s developed into a really good player.
“So it’s going to be a tough challenge.”
