Geelong was obviously the biggest loser of last night’s Preliminary Final, but David King believes there was another loser – the Gold Coast Suns.
It was their former captain in Tom Lynch who tore the game apart for Richmond, kicking five goals, taking 10 marks – four contested and six inside 50 – and finishing with 12 score involvements in the 19-point victory.
Lynch was the best player on the ground and lived up to everything Richmond would have wanted when they splashed for him in free agency.
King however believes this example shows other young Suns players what is available if you choose to leave the struggling club.
“It was a big moment for two clubs. It was a massive moment for Richmond and a horrible moment for the Gold Coast Suns,” he told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“It basically said this is what is open to you if you are willing to walk and come to the big towns and play serious football.
“I couldn’t help but feel that. The lure of 95,000 people screaming for you on Preliminary Final weekend bypasses anything you want to throw up.
“Tenure, performance, honour, integrity, it just said, you know what, this is what is available.”
Lynch wasn’t the only former Sun out there either. Dion Prestia was also among the best players on the ground, while Josh Caddy also played a key role. Geelong meanwhile has another former Gold Coast captain in Gary Ablett.
Dermott Brereton has long been a huge fan of Lynch and believes he showed what he is capable of on the big stage.
“I always thought he could be Wayne Carey like if he had sideways movement and agility. He doesn’t, so you work with what you’ve got and what you’ve got is a monster engine,” Brereton said.
“People out there look at this boy who is 198cm, he’s 6 foot 6 and they think he’s going to lumber to the ball and take a mark. He drill runs as hard as anyone in the competition.
“He is an endurance beast and he will run at it and charge at it. He’s a wonderful player.”