Tom Lynch will be able to train twice a week for the first time this season after Richmond's bye in a fortnight, with Tigers coach Damien Hardwick full of admiration for the key forward's efforts so far this season.
The 26-year-old, who joined Richmond as a free agent at the end of last season, battled to impose himself on the contest after missing two goalscoring chances in the first quarter, and finished with nine disposals and one goal.
Hardwick said the club did not expect Lynch would play the first 12 games of the season after being touch and go to play in round one as he returned from an operation to repair his posterior cruciate ligament.
However with Jack Riewoldt sidelined he was forced to play a lone hand as the only tall forward inside 50 and he has been reasonably good, kicking 26 goals with his six-goal effort against Port Adelaide in round four instrumental in the Tigers' win.
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"I know people keep looking for him to be this messiah but the reality is that is not what we got him for. We got him to create contests," Hardwick said.
He said Lynch's best football remained ahead of him as he got fitter and operated in a more stable forward line.
Tiger forward Tom Lynch will be able to pick up his training load after Richmond's bye.Credit:AAP
"He has only trained once a week at the moment," Hardwick said.
"After the break he will train twice a week which once again will improve his ability to get around the ground so Tom's best footy, like ours as a footy club for mine, is well and truly in front of us."
Richmond's long injury list is unlikely to shorten much before the bye with Brandon Ellis the most Read More – Source
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