ADELAIDE forward Tom Lynch has turned his back on a return home to Victoria and re-signed with the Crows in a massive coup for the club.
The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year extension that will tie him to West Lakes until the end of 2021.
His signature comes at a crucial time as the Crows attempt to ward off interest in their out-of-contract stars including Lynch and free agent Rory Sloane, following the departures of Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron last year.
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The Crows had planned to lock away Lynch earlier in the season before negotiations stalled when his camp felt the initial offer from the Crows was underwhelming.
AFL.com.au understands Lynch could have commanded more than $750,000 per season on the open market with Carlton, North Melbourne, Collingwood and his former club St Kilda among the clubs who enquired about his services.
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The Sandringham Dragon junior spent time in Melbourne looking at houses after the Crows' round nine win over Western Bulldogs, which fuelled speculation he would entertain a return home.
However, Lynch's fiancée Courtney recently gave birth to their third child and the family remains settled in Adelaide.
Lynch captained the Crows this season in the absence of injured leaders Taylor Walker and Sloane.
His forward craft and link play has been seen as pivotal to his side's fortunes in recent years to service forwards Walker, Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins.
Lynch has now played 109 games for the Crows after crossing from the Saints at the end of 2011, where he spent three seasons and played six games.
