Tom Lynch returned to the Adelaide lineup for Sunday’s meeting with West Coast.
While the Crows didn’t win, it appeared as though they did welcome back the hard-working forward with open arms.
Lynch, 30, had been out of the side since Round 6 because of a toe injury but was back in form with 25 disposals, six marks, a goal and three goal assists in the 42-point loss to the Eagles.
Coach Matthew Nicks had said last Friday that “there’s no guarantee” for Lynch in regards to a new deal, but Kane Cornes has implored the club to sign him up based on his quality.
“If he’s not in their best team next year, I know nothing about football,” Cornes said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“The thought that they would not offer him a one-year deal is irresponsible if you are the Adelaide Football Club.
“Tom Lynch came in, first game in months, he’s had 25, did’t look like he missed a beat, kicked a goal. Once again working so far up the ground and back.
“It’s not as if he’s a bad bloke, we know he’s a ripper. He’s coaching the AFLW, he’s such a great bubbly personality.
“Now he may not want a one-year deal, he may not want to leave, but if Adelaide don’t offer him a one-year contract, that is irresponsible. He’s easily still in their best 12 players.
“If the reports are true, that’s a joke.”
Co-host Andrew Hayes highlighted Lynch’s importance to the Adelaide side, particularly his role in relieving the pressure on veteran Taylor Walker.
“He’s unbelievably important to their forward structure,” he added.
“Their two most important forwards are Lynch and Walker. Lynch particularly in that connecter role.
“For Taylor Walker’s success, it’s going to be somewhat dependent on an up and firing Tom Lynch.
“It’s a bit of a surprising one. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.”
Cornes added: “I hope they look at him and go, ‘Oh hang on, geez he’s pretty good, he’s 30 years of age, we can give him a one-year deal wth some incentives and let him stick around because he’s still in our best players’.”
Lynch has played 153 games and kicked 194 goals for the Crows since joining from St Kilda prior to the 2012 season.
He is out of contract this year.