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Inside Richmond forward Tom Lynch’s mad rush to get out of surgery in Melbourne before lockdown

Steve LarkinThe West Australian
VideoTom Lynch managed to re-join his Tigers teammates before State lockdown laws were enforced.

Injured Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch says he’s a 50/50 prospect of playing in Sunday’s AFL match against Sydney after his mad dash to get out of Victoria.

Lynch had surgery on a broken finger on Monday before travelling just hours later to join his teammates at their Gold Coast hub.

“I will hopefully train Friday and then press to play Sunday,” Lynch said.

“We’ll see how it goes, 50-50 at the moment, but hopefully I get up for it.”

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Lynch was hurt during Richmond’s win against Melbourne last Sunday and had a rushed operation on Monday so he could travel to the Gold Coast ahead of fresh travel restrictions.

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Tom Lynch joined his Richmond teammates before Victoria’s lockdown laws came into effect.
Camera IconTom Lynch joined his Richmond teammates before Victoria’s lockdown laws came into effect. Credit: Richmond FC

“I went in for scans early Monday morning, went back to the club, spoke to the doctor about 8.30am and he was pretty keen to get the surgery done then and there, and get it done in Melbourne,” Lynch said.

“I had to obviously (act) fast and then go into surgery about 1.30pm.

“I ended up getting out of hospital about 4pm, 4.30pm, and then going straight home, getting my bag and then straight to airport and flying out.

“It was a pretty quick turnaround but I got up here in time.”

Victoria’s 10 AFL teams were sent scrambling out of the state on Sunday and Monday as border restrictions were tightened in response to the state’s COVID-19 spike.

Lynch was among a batch of Tigers injured in Sunday’s game with captain Trent Cotchin (hamstring), Dion Prestia (ankle) and Toby Nankervis (ankle) all ruled out of Sunday’s fixture against the Swans.

Defender David Astbury (knee) remains on the sidelines while dual premiership duo Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards haven’t travelled to the Gold Coast, citing personal reasons.

Edwards’ partner is expected to give birth soon. Houli’s wife gave birth last week to their third child.

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