CHAIRMAN Tony Cochrane has fired the first shot at clubs pursuing Tom Lynch, hinting Gold Coast could play hardball and match offers made for the restricted free agent.

Cochrane told AFL.com.au the Suns were "in the dark" and could not devise a solid gameplan until a formal offer was made, but said the club was keeping its options open.

"If the offer is two million, he won't be staying at the club … but if it's 45 thousand a year and three hot cross buns every Easter, we'd match that," Cochrane said.

Once Lynch formally decides which club he wants to go to, the Suns can match the offer and force a trade or decline to match and accept the AFL's compensation pick – likely to be number three in this year's draft.

Richmond is widely regarded as the frontrunner for Lynch's signature, but Cochrane says he and the Suns are currently none the wiser.

"Until we know what we've been asked to match, we can't make a valid judgement on whether we can match it or not," he said.

"We're actually sitting on the bench and they're the ones playing the game. Until they reveal what their offer is, it's impossible to comment."

Cochrane has talked a strong game previously when Suns players have indicated their desire to leave.

He said it was time for the club to "make a stance" when Jaeger O'Meara wanted out, suggesting the Suns may force the now-Hawk to the draft, while he also said under no circumstances would Gary Ablett be traded at the end of 2017.

Ablett got his way and left the club for an exchange of picks with a year to run on his deal, while Hawthorn swooped on O'Meara for draft picks, including a mid first round selection.