RICHO’S TOP 10: Tom Lynch has a lot to give the Richmond Tigers and can’t throw it away out of frustration

1 The last few years of most key forwards’ careers can be frustrating.

Tom Lynch has been a star for the Suns and Tigers. Without Lynch’s efforts during the 2019 season Richmond don’t win that premiership. Right now, Lynch is frustrated. That happens when you lose a bit of speed and can’t leap like you used to. You can’t separate from your opponent. You can’t meet your own high expectations. I know because I’ve been there. It’s a hard pill to swallow. But my advice to Tom would be embrace it and enjoy the last 18 months of his career. He should enjoy helping young Tiger forwards Armstrong, Faull and Thomas Sims develop. He should play on next year because if he is inside forward 50, he will get the best defender, and this gives the young tall forwards another 12 months of development without getting the best defender. When I accepted my own game wasn’t going to be what it was it was a big weight off my shoulders, and it shifted my thinking to help Jack Riewoldt develop. That was enjoyable to watch. Lynch has this opportunity over the next 30 games to do the same for the Tigers. The five-match suspension for belting Jordon Butts feels about right. I think it certainly was an action of yesteryear and the AFL was always going to go hard on it.

2. The SCG surface just simply isn’t acceptable.

The Paddington end of the ground is like an ice-skating rink. Players slipping and sliding everywhere. It’s been like this for most of the season. When players lose confidence to plant their feet to change direction you know it’s bad. We are very lucky we haven’t seen a serious injury as a result. It needs to be sorted out ASAP. This isn’t a bush league, it’s the AFL. Apparently, it was caused by an Andrea Bocelli concert nearly three months ago and it’s got worse if anything. What’s going on? Brody Grundy may have played it down, but the sub-par quality of the surface was obvious on Friday night. Let’s hope it’s improved for Sunday’s game against the Dockers.

3. Bit of noise around Sydney trying to lure Joe Daniher out of retirement.

I hadn’t thought about it but why not? Sydney has consistency and injury problems inside forward 50 with their tall forwards. While Sydney has the calibre of players like Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Errol Gulden, Tom Papley and Nick Blakey they have a massive issue with their tall forwards producing consistently. Daniher could be the answer for the next two years. His body would be fresh so it’s worth asking him at the very least.

4. Talking of concerts at big stadiums I have got say I’m pumped to have secured tickets to see AC/DC at the MCG in November.

How bloody good. Having never seen them I thought the opportunity may have passed me by. With Angus Young and Brian Johnson in their 70s it may be the last time they come home to Australia. I know people that saw them in the Bon Scott era in Melbourne clubs in the late 70s. What a career. I would love to hear songs radio doesn’t play like, If You Want Blood, and Touch Too Much. I can’t wait.

5. I wrote last week that Carlton should hold the course and back Michael Voss until the end of his contract next year.

I still believe that but if the Blues put in a performance against Collingwood tomorrow night like the one they produced against Port in the first half last Thursday it will put immense pressure on the powers that be at Ikon Park. The problem against the Power was they didn’t turn up in the areas they always do. That’s contest, clearance and pressure. That’s alarming. They bring that every week and that’s effort based. Sure, they haven’t got the polish outside, but the effort’s mostly been there. If that goes away, then it gets really concerning for Vossy. They simply must perform in those areas for a big Friday night match at the ‘G.

6. We often hear about the picks recruiters got wrong. So, we need to celebrate the ones they smash out of the park.

At pick 45 in the 2023 draft the Bulldogs’ Joel Freijah looks like an absolute steal. At 191cm the long striding smooth mover is drawing comparisons with his superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli due to his similar size and strong build. He was a match winner against the Swans last Friday. He kicked three goals in the third quarter when the Swans were challenging. He added another in the last to finish with four goals. He will eventually be more of a permanent midfielder and if he keeps kicking goals the Dogs have found another star. I hear he is the consummate professional as well. Well done to the Doggies’ recruitment team.

7. The art of leading out of the goal square is dying off slowly.

Back in the halcyon days of full forwards they were anchored in the goal square. They were not required to get high up the ground and help defend and most of the time they were leading up at the ball carrier. They also didn’t have to contend with zone defences. Jesse Hogan is the best pure leading forward in the modern game. But Mitch Georgiades is starting to close that gap. He has the pace and athleticism which is complemented by a high forward craft IQ. He is in a rich vein of form. His hands on the lead are vice-like. He will be a tough match up for the Lions’ defence on Saturday night.

8. Are the Hollywood Hawks back in the hunt for a premiership?

They have now won three in a row. But the manner with which they wiped North from the park in Tassie last week was reminiscent of their late season run last year. High octane footy with plenty of goals and they had the pedal to the floor for the whole game. Their remaining eight games include four against current top eight teams in Fremantle, Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane. Win the ones they should and pinch one of the tougher games and they have 15 wins. That’s top four territory. Timing is everything in footy and your momentum must start spiking now. They look healthy as well with players like Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis playing back at Box Hill. Another punishing win over the Saints this weekend and I’d be feeling bullish again if I was a Hawks fan.

9. The NFL in America and the Associated Press have an award each season for the comeback player of the year.

It can be a player returning from a serious injury or just having a huge spike in form. If we awarded one in the AFL I’d be voting for Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston. At age 34 Gunners is in almost a career best season. His form last year was OK but this year he is clearly the Hawks’ best tall forward. Coming off a career high seven goals last week he sits on 35 for the season. He is on target for his fifth 50-goal season. If the Hawks were to play multiple finals, he could even reach his career high of 58 back in the 2014 season. His movement is as good as ever and his body is healthy. He is a great leader for his club.

10. Toyota Legendary Moments are back after a hiatus.

This is a fun series reenacting some of the most famous and iconic moments the game has seen. My favourite one was the Francis Bourke memory where he took a diving mark at Arden St against North in the early 1980s. You couldn’t see his face through all the blood from an open wound. He then went back and slotted the goal. Of course, tomato sauce was used as blood in the re-creation. It was very funny stuff from actors Steve Curry and Dave Lawson. What moment would you like to see? Anything Dusty Martin related will do me. You can find all the old ones on YouTube. I am sure they will look at doing Dom Sheed’s legendary 2018 grand final winning goal. Congratulations to Sheed who has hung up the boots after an injury ravaged last few years. A premiership player and one that will never be forgotten. His goal to deny the Pies from deep in the pocket will be talked about forever. Enjoy retirement Dom.