Richmond's finals campaign has been dealt a major blow with star forward Tom Lynch ruled out of its qualifying final clash against the Brisbane Lions.
Lynch is one of several Tigers stars hoping to make it back for the finals campaign after injuring his hamstring against Geelong in Round 17.
However, the club has opted to proceed with caution with the 27-year-old big man.
"Collectively, we feel that Tom isn't quite ready to return to play this week," Richmond's General Manager – Football Performance, Tim Livingstone said in a statement.
"We are confident we've made the right decision for both Tom, and the team heading into this finals series."
Lynch will continue on a modified training program this week, with Richmond expecting him to return to full training the following week.
Richmond's decision to rule Lynch out comes as a suprise after senior coach Damien Hardwick had earlier expressed confidence on his availability for Friday's clash.
"He ticked the box today and did what he was required to do. We'll have another session on Wednesday which will answer a few more of those questions, but at the moment it's looking promising," Hardwick said on Monday morning.
"He's obviously a very important player to the way we structure up and the way we play. Our medical staff will make the right call whether they deem it is appropriate he plays or not."
The absence of Lynch up forward is a major blow for Richmond, with his injury likely to result in veteran Jack Riewoldt being marked by All-Australian defender Harris Andrews.
Lynch has been prolific against the Lions throughout his career, and leads all active AFL players for most goals against the Lions in the last five years with 29 majors.
https://twitter.com/sirswampthing/status/1310471704892731392?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EtweetWhile the absence of Lynch is a major blow up forward, Richmond is expecting midfield gun Dion Prestia to play his first match since Round 5 after a syndesmosis injury.
"He trained strongly, he was very good in our scrimmage we had on the weekend, and trained well again today," Hardwick said.
"He hasn't played for a long period of time but he's got a fair base behind him. He's been in the system for 10-odd years so he's got a good understanding of what he can and can't do."
Richmond's finals campaign has been dealt a major blow with star forward Tom Lynch ruled out of its qualifying final clash against the Brisbane Lions.
Lynch is one of several Tigers stars hoping to make it back for the finals campaign after injuring his hamstring against Geelong in Round 17.
However, the club has opted to proceed with caution with the 27-year-old big man.
"Collectively, we feel that Tom isn't quite ready to return to play this week," Richmond's General Manager – Football Performance, Tim Livingstone said in a statement.
"We are confident we've made the right decision for both Tom, and the team heading into this finals series."
Lynch will continue on a modified training program this week, with Richmond expecting him to return to full training the following week.
Richmond's decision to rule Lynch out comes as a suprise after senior coach Damien Hardwick had earlier expressed confidence on his availability for Friday's clash.
"He ticked the box today and did what he was required to do. We'll have another session on Wednesday which will answer a few more of those questions, but at the moment it's looking promising," Hardwick said on Monday morning.
"He's obviously a very important player to the way we structure up and the way we play. Our medical staff will make the right call whether they deem it is appropriate he plays or not."
The absence of Lynch up forward is a major blow for Richmond, with his injury likely to result in veteran Jack Riewoldt being marked by All-Australian defender Harris Andrews.
Lynch has been prolific against the Lions throughout his career, and leads all active AFL players for most goals against the Lions in the last five years with 29 majors.
https://twitter.com/sirswampthing/status/1310471704892731392?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EtweetWhile the absence of Lynch is a major blow up forward, Richmond is expecting midfield gun Dion Prestia to play his first match since Round 5 after a syndesmosis injury.
"He trained strongly, he was very good in our scrimmage we had on the weekend, and trained well again today," Hardwick said.
"He hasn't played for a long period of time but he's got a fair base behind him. He's been in the system for 10-odd years so he's got a good understanding of what he can and can't do."
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