Richmond are sweating over the fitness of star forward Tom Lynch a fortnight out from the finals after he was substituted off in Saturday night’s 66-point thumping of Essendon at the MCG.
Lynch went to the bench early in the final term with groin soreness and did not return. He spent time icing his abductor. The star tall had booted all five of his goals after half-time.
Tom Lynch booted all five of his goals after half-time against Essendon but finished injured and on the bench.Credit:Getty Images
He has arguably been in career-best form over the past month, booting 21 goals. The pre-finals bye will work in Lynch’s favour in a season when he has had soft-tissue issues.
The Tigers’ 13th win of the season rubber-stamped seventh spot on the ladder, and they now await their elimination-final opponent.
After a week when Essendon dominated the headlines, it was easy to forget the Tigers also had plenty on their mind. But, for the Tigers, it was in a far more positive light, for they are preparing for finals in a fortnight where they are a team no one wants to face, particularly if Dustin Martin returns from injury.
Star midfielder Dion Prestia was typically robust, roaming through the midfield for his 31 disposals, including five clearances. Former skipper Trent Cotchin and Jayden Short also found plenty of the ball, but Shai Bolton was quiet.
While Lynch was goalless to half-time, veteran Shane Edwards and the emerging Noah Cumberland combined for six. After the break, Lynch symbolised why the Tigers are so dangerous, booting three goals in the third term.
Jake Stringer was concussed in the second term, a major blow for the Bombers.Credit:Getty Images
On a night president David Barham said he was ready to make bold and courageous decisions, the Bombers finished a largely miserable campaign with a 7-15 win-loss record, and with questions aplenty to address. Skipper Dyson Heppell, who made his displeasure known to club powerbrokers over how the past week had unfolded, has yet to sign on, while there are several other list management decisions.
Ruckman Sam Draper, however, has had a strong year, and was superb in the season finale. His ability to tap to a teammate, and his presence around the ground, was a sight to behold. Toby Nankervis, his opponent, is a workhorse and battled hard, but it’s in the ruck that rivals could have success against the Tigers come the finals.
Zach Merrett had 37 disposals, falling just short of his career high of 41, including six touches, and two clearances, in the opening six minutes of the game, and 25 to half-time.
Bombers coach Ben Rutten and Michael Hurley.Credit:AFL Photos
The Bombers were dealt a major blow when Jake Stringer was concussed after an accidental knee to the back of the head by Marlion Pickett in the second term.
Peter Wright was wayward early, but the Bombers’ biggest issue remained a year-long inability to defend the ground. Whether that be the Tigers scoring from turnovers or on a chain from defence, the Bombers were too often opened up. That’s one major reason why coach Ben Rutten faces an uncertain future, ahead of Sunday’s board meeting.
The Bombers need to find another key defender in the off-season. Zach Reid, typically a defender, was sent forward against the Tigers but struggled.
TIGER POWER
The Bombers lifted their work around the contest in the second term, booting the opening two goals to close to within one straight kick. Merrett was everywhere, having 19 touches, including four clearances, by the 10-minute mark. Dylan Shiel was also busy, but the Tigers responded – in good and frustrating ways. The good were the goals, the frustrating – to coach Damien Hardwick – was when Liam Baker needlessly shoved Jye Menzie, the medical sub replacing Stringer, in the back after the Bomber had marked, conceding a 50-metre penalty which took him to the goal-line. That’s the sort of free kick which Hardwick regularly bemoans.
BENCH WARMER
It was hard not to think the Bombers made a statement by starting Darcy Parish on the bench and leaving him there for more than 13 minutes. Parish is arguably the Bombers’ best midfielder, typically is in the majority of centre bounces, and had averaged more than 40 touches in his past two games against the Tigers. Parish soon found plenty of the ball and finished with 28 touches, including a left-foot goal in heavy traffic in the second term.
Michael Hurley booted a goal in his final game for the Bombers on Saturday night.Credit:Getty Images
‘CHAMPION PLAYER AND PERSON’
The Bombers bade farewell to Michael Hurley, who closed the final chapter on his 14-year career. His special moment came when he marked and booted his lone goal with two minutes remaining, sparking not only his teammates, but all Richmond players, to congratulate him. Hurley, 32, had not played a senior match since contracting a hip infection that led to his hospitalisation in 2021. “He has been a champion player and a champion person,” Bombers’ president David Barham said on Saturday.
RICHMOND 6.3 10.7 16.10 21.15 (141)
ESSENDON 3.2 7.6 9.8 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Richmond: Lynch 5, Cumberland 3, Edwards 3, Riewoldt, Bolton, Rioli, McIntosh, Cotchin, Pickett, Prestia, Sonsie, Miller, Ross.
Essendon: Wright 3, D’Ambrosio 2, Hurley, Parish, Heppell, Stringer, Draper, Menzie.
BEST
Richmond: Prestia, Short, Rioli, Lynch, Baker.
Essendon: Draper, Merrett, Parish, Hind.
INJURIES
Richmond: Lynch (groin).
UMPIRES Rosebury, O’Gorman, Dore.
CROWD 58,366 at MCG.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
