A DOMINANT Tom Lynch took aim at Adelaide's critics after an outstanding return game in Darwin on Saturday night from a viral meningitis scare.
The 26-year-old spent two nights in a hospital intensive care unit a fortnight ago after contracting the serious virus and subsequently battling headaches from inflammation in his brain.
Lynch missed two matches, but was a key contributor in the Crows' 46-point defeat of Melbourne in the Top End, with 27 disposals, 11 marks and three goals.
"I was unlucky. They reckon I might have got it off children – I have two kids of my own, or some of their friends maybe," he told AFL.com.au.
"But it was just a normal stomach bug that went for a wander and got caught in my neck and brain. I'm pleased it was that and nothing more serious, but I hated missing footy and nights like tonight make it really enjoyable.
"I had a few nights in hospital – it seems a long time ago now – but we've got great doctors and medical people at our club … who are very supportive and I was in really good hands, so I appreciated that."
Lynch wasn't the only Adelaide forward to fire, with skipper Taylor Walker (four goals) one of the best players afield, Mitch McGovern a good performer early and speedster Charlie Cameron great from the outset.
The first-placed Crows entered the round having scored 162 more points than any other side and piled on 116 more to top triple figures for the 11th time in 16 matches.
"There are six games left before the finals start, which we're desperate to play well in," Lynch said.
"But we've got to keep setting up and put ourselves in a position where we can have a really good attack at that, because in seasons past we've dropped away. It's really important we keep riding this momentum and have a good, strong finish to the year."
Lynch did not waste the opportunity to respond to the Adelaide naysayers, who doubted the Crows' premiership credentials during a patch in which they lost four of seven matches after a 6-0 start.
"It's funny. Teams say they've figured us out, yet we're sitting on top of the ladder, so it's something we've never really bought into," he said.
"At times, there is an opposition out there and if they play well and are better than us on the day, it seems to be they've figured us out.
"When we were getting told we needed to be harder in the contest, we were leading the AFL in contested ball, so it was an interesting one. We knew we had to improve in a number of areas, but that's how the season goes – everyone has ebbs and flows in their momentum."
