Out-of-contract Adelaide forward Tom Lynch would be an “excellent option” for North Melbourne, according to Kane Cornes.
The 30-year-old recently returned from a long-term foot injury, kicking two goals and averaging 21 disposals in his two games back at senior level.
A restricted free agent at season’s end, Lynch will reportedly not be offered a new deal by the Crows, leaving him in contract limbo for 2022.
Cornes thinks the experienced Crow would be an ideal fit at the Kangaroos given he has previously worked with North senior coach and former Adelaide assistant David Noble.
“The difficulty with rebuilding is that you still need a number of experienced players and bigger bodies. That’s why Ben Cunnington is so important to what they do,” he told SEN’s Flip.
“You can get Tom Lynch for nothing from the Crows.
“Tom Lynch has been injured for the majority of the year. He’s had a sore foot and has had an operation, clearly out of favour at Adelaide with the direction they’re going in. They’re probably not going to offer him a new contract.
“North Melbourne could get him for nothing in terms of what you’re going to pay for him – it’s not going to be significant – you don’t have to give up a draft pick for him.
“He’s 30 years of age and to see him return in the last two weeks from that injury, he looks good, and he looks sharp.
“To add him with (Nick) Larkey into that forward mix is definitely an open that I would pursue. There’s the connection with David Noble.
“He’s a terrific individual. He helps out with Adelaide’s AFLW team. He wants to explore the coaching development path.
“Tom Lynch on and off the field at North Melbourne to develop these younger players and slot into that forward line as a bigger body for the next two years would be an excellent option for North.
“It’s not a high-profile guy and it’s not going to be the difference between pushing right up the ladder, but a nice cog into what could be a decent North Melbourne forward line next year.”
Lynch has kicked 199 goals in 160 games for the Crows and St Kilda.