Richmond star Tom Lynch facing four-game ban after being sent straight to AFL Tribunal for striking

Star Richmond forward Tom Lynch is facing a four-week sanction for striking Crow Jordan Butts after being sent straight to the AFL Tribunal.

The potential month-long ban would see Lynch miss a trip to Perth in round 19 to face West Coast in what is shaping as the battling Eagles’ best chance at a second victory in 2025.

Lynch left commentators and fans speechless during the second quarter at the MCG on Sunday, snapping while scuffling with Butts off the ball.

Trying to break contact with the Adelaide defender amid another ugly beating, Lynch swung a punch into the back of Butt’s head in a move reminiscent of a haymaker, making significant contact.

The Match Review Officer deemed the incident intentional contact with severe impact and high contact, deeming the incident so serious it needed to be sent to Tuesday’s Tribunal.

Due to the seriousness of the charges, the Tiger will likely face a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines should he be found guilty.

Lynch’s hip pocket didn’t escape notice either, with the forward also fined for a second strike and engaging in a melee, the dual fines totalling nearly $3000.

Meanwhile, Fremantle spearhead Patrick Voss will be breathing a sigh of relief after avoiding any penalty for his dumping tackle on Saint Marcus Windhager.

During the Dockers’ crucial win over St Kilda on Sunday, Voss caught the Saints defender in a powerful tackle in the goalsquare, lifting Windhager from the ground and ploughing him into the turf.

The umpire paid a free kick, and Windhager was taken from the ground for an HIA exam but later returned.

Voss has already served a three-week ban in 2025 for a clumsy strike that left Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin with a broken nose during Gather Round.

Josh Treacy was fined $1875 for his scuffle after the run-down tackle of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.