Tom Lynch is locked in for 2026, but don’t rule out seeing the Richmond spearhead in yellow and black well beyond that.
The 31-year-old will return to the Tigers’ line-up this weekend after serving a five-match ban, and on Friday, signed a one-year contract extension that keeps him at Punt Road through next season.
But Richmond coach Adem Yze isn’t setting a finish line just yet.
MORE: Collingwood late season struggles mirror form before 2023 premiership
'We don’t want to put a ceiling on it'
Asked about Lynch’s future, Yze made it clear that his value—on and off the field, remains enormous.
“When you look at Scott Pendlebury, I think he’s signed five one-year deals in a row,” Yze said. “We don’t want to put a ceiling on how long that’s going to last. Right now, he signs a one-year deal, and Dion [Prestia] is looking at a one-year deal as well.
“It’s not just the one-year process, it’ll all be based around body and impact in games. When I say it could be two or three years, if all going well, the same sort of discussion will happen next year.”
MORE: Craig McRae blasts Collingwood after lowest score in his tenure
Yze said Richmond had no intention of moving out all its experienced heads just yet, with Lynch, Prestia, Nathan Broad and Nick Vlastuin playing a “critical” role in guiding the club’s younger crop.
“We’re obviously rapt he’s playing this weekend, but we’re rapt at the same time he’s committed for at least another season,” Yze said. “He’s so important to our footy club, but not only our footy club, our young forward line.”
And with Lynch eager to make amends after his suspension for a high hit on Jordon Butts, the Tigers believe their leader’s best may not be behind him.