Richmond veteran Tom Lynch found himself in hot water during a recent match against Adelaide, where he was reported for delivering a clubbing strike to defender Jordon Butts. The incident occurred in the second quarter and was clearly observed by the nearest umpire, resulting in a free kick against Lynch.
Despite entering the halftime break with his team trailing by 41 points and failing to register a touch, Lynch’s frustration boiled over, leading him to rack up five free kicks against him during the match. The altercation unfolded after a marking contest, where Butts successfully spoiled the ball but had his arm draped over Lynch’s shoulder. Brad Johnson, a former Western Bulldogs player, quickly identified that Lynch was in serious trouble as he viewed the incident in real-time.
Following the strike, Butts fell to the ground, clutching his head but managed to recover. This triggered a reaction from the Crows players, resulting in a skirmish on the field. Lynch’s temper flared further as he soon committed another infringement, pushing Adelaide’s Mark Keane, which only exacerbated the situation.
Former Richmond player Matthew Richardson did not hold back in his critique, asserting that Lynch had “lost the plot” and advocated for his removal from the game. He noted that Lynch’s mounting ire stemmed from perceived unfairness regarding free kicks, but insisted that such aggression was unacceptable. Earlier in the quarter, Lynch had already been seen arguing with the umpires, underscoring his agitation.
As the incident took place away from the main action and appeared intentional, Lynch is now facing the prospect of a direct appearance at the AFL Tribunal. This incident highlights a troubling moment for the seasoned forward, whose emotional outburst raised concerns over his conduct and the pressure faced on the field.