Richmond forward Tom Lynch is anxiously awaiting the decision of the match review officer regarding a concerning incident involving Carlton’s Tom de Koning. The incident occurred during a recent match at the MCG, when Lynch collided with de Koning’s head shortly after he disposed of the ball. The collision saw de Koning hit the ground, raising alarms for both players. Fortunately, he quickly recovered and stood back up.
As commentators noted the precarious nature of the hit, Lynch’s actions have now come under scrutiny, as he may face penalties for the high contact. Following the impact, de Koning was seen heading to the Carlton bench but did not receive any concussion assessments, suggesting that the hit might not have been severe.
Analysts are speculating on Lynch’s potential fate, with David King commenting that Lynch will be “nervous” about the possibility of receiving a suspension. AFL reporter Mitch Cleary pointed out that while de Koning seems to be clear of any serious issues, the MRO may still view Lynch’s conduct unfavourably. He suggested that the charge could be classified as “careless, high contact with medium impact,” which typically carries a suspension of one week.
Adding to this view, two-time All Australian Leigh Montagna expressed doubt about Lynch’s chances of escaping punishment, emphasising that any form of contact deemed avoidable is often met with a penalty under AFL regulations. He highlighted the ongoing debate around the interpretations of hip-and-shoulder tackles within the league.
Ultimately, Lynch’s future in the upcoming matches hangs in the balance as he awaits the MRO’s ruling on his conduct during the game.