RICHMOND vice-captain Alex Rance warns the reigning premier runs the risk of "upsetting the apple cart" if it recruits Tom Lynch.

The Gold Coast co-captain becomes a restricted free agent at the end of this season and the Tigers are known to be among Victorian clubs keen to lure him back to his home state.

Rance defended last year's mega deal to re-sign Dustin Martin, saying the Brownlow medallist deserved it, but wonders whether they should go after Lynch.

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"I'm really proud of the way our list management has been over the last few years," Rance told Fox Footy.

"'Dusty' is the best player in the competition, in my opinion, and deserves the dollars he gets.

"But I don't necessarily believe that we should be upsetting the apple cart, to go and chase a big fish ... he (Lynch) is the big tuna."

Richmond has a unique forward set-up, with tall Jack Riewoldt backed by a number of smaller goalsneaks, and Rance wondered how Lynch might fit into that.

"Team structure would be an interesting one, to throw up," Rance said.

"I wouldn't really know what it would look like, with him in the side, because I'm so happy with what our structure is.

"But he's a gun and you obviously want to accumulate as many guns in your artillery as possible.

"Lucky it's not my call."

While he has his reservations, Rance can see why the Tigers are interested in Lynch.

"I'd support it because it would mean I wouldn't have to play on him, but I think you always have to look at the big picture when it comes to these things," the star key defender said.

"So many clubs will be after him and we'd be glad to have him."

He also said that Richmond would have no trouble bringing Lynch into the team.

"It wouldn't matter if it's Tom Lynch or Jack the Ripper, our culture would be able to deal with that personality," he said.