BEWARE the wounded Tiger.
So says in-form Fremantle defender Alex Pearce, the man set to stand Tom Lynch after the Richmond star was labelled a "liability" by former champion forward Matthew Lloyd this week.
"Nah, it's not ideal," Pearce stated wryly in response to Lloyd's comments in an interview with AFL.com.au ahead of Sunday's clash at Optus Stadium.
MATCH PREVIEW Dockers v Tigers
"I've played on Tom Lynch before and he's a really good player.
"Whenever I've played him each time he's just a fierce competitor and he doesn't give an inch.
"I'm sure that kind of talk will fire him up, so thanks for that Lloydy."
Lloyd's criticism that tall target Lynch is a one-trick pony who offers little defensive pressure has gained traction after the boom recruit's lean period.
Lynch sits equal-second in the Coleman Medal race with 17 majors, but has booted just 1.4 in the past three games.
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Interestingly, Lynch has laid eight tackles over that stretch, compared to just four in the opening month.
He will be up against arguably the AFL's best key backman this Sunday, and the strong and quick Docker is an ideal match-up.
Standing at 201cm and weighing in at 101kg, Pearce has not just the size but also the agility and closing speed to worry the 199cm and 99kg Tiger.
"It will be a team approach to try and shut him down, because he's probably their most dangerous forward," Pearce said.
"I try to use my strengths each week. I feel like I'm quite strong in a one-on-one. If I can get the ball to ground, I always back myself in to beat the key forwards on the deck.
"I'm going to need plenty of help, and I think that's been a good thing this year. There hasn't been too many one-on-one contests in our D50.
"We've had Lukey Ryan and Ethan Hughes rolling off and helping out, so if we can get that support throughout the day then that will be huge for us."
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Speaking at his weekly media conference, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was wary of an ambush from the injury-hit Tigers, who will rely heavily on Lynch without spearhead Jack Riewoldt (knee).
"I did see the sensationalist headline. I forget who clipped him, but everyone gets clipped very quickly in AFL these days," Lyon said.
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"A lot of sensationalism around (Steven) May, but that's just the cycle we're in.
"I'd be surprised if Tom Lynch is any more motivated this week than he was last week – I think that would surprise everybody.
"But that focus, maybe you can galvanise and steel yourself a little bit, but we'll be prepared and should be prepared for whatever comes."
