AS A LEADER, Tom Lynch puts his team before all else, and as a spearhead he doesn't rate his game on goals alone, but the Gold Coast co-captain admitted he felt relieved to finally kick more than five majors.
Lynch bagged 7.0 from 19 possessions and 12 marks to lead Gold Coast to a 26-point win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Before then, the 24-year-old had slotted five goals on five occasions, four of them coming in his previous 30 games.
Lynch's effort against the Blues equaled the Suns' record set by former teammate Charlie Dixon (now at Port Adelaide) against North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium in round 14, 2015.
"I've got five a fair few times now, so it was good to just get over that. I couldn't get six, so it's good to get seven," Lynch said post-match.
Five talking points: Carlton v Gold Coast
The power forward, who kicked 66 goals last year, is on track for another solid year given he has 12 goals after four rounds.
Forward greats Dermott Brereton and Jonathan Brown rate Lynch the best player in the AFL, but the man himself isn't so sure.
"I think they're pretty biased towards the centre half-forwards, just quietly," Lynch said.
"I've always looked up to Jonathan Brown – he was my favourite player when I was growing up – so to come from a guy like him, and obviously Dermott is so well respected and was such a great player as well, obviously it's humbling but they're pretty biased."
In his first season sharing the captaincy with Steven May after they succeeded Gary Ablett, Lynch continues to earn admiration for his work ethic.
"I pride myself on my work-rate and getting up and down (the ground)," he said.
"Ever since my first game, they've said, 'You've got a big tank so you've got to use it.' That's what I've really tried to (base) my game on.
"If I'm not getting a kick, (it) gives you the opportunity of getting up and down instead of just playing in the goalsquare."
After dropping their first two games to the Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney, Lynch said the Suns had shown great character to square the ledger, and he was now hoping to attack undefeated Adelaide at Metricon Stadium next Saturday.
A key to the Suns' resurgence had been its run-and-carry and a dangerous forward mix that also included fellow tall Peter Wright, Brandon Matera and Jack Martin.
"Matera (three goals) has really given us something since he's come into the side," Lynch said.
"Wright (three goals) worked his way into the game superbly today. He was a bit quiet in the first half – I think 'Rocket' (coach Rodney Eade) might have challenged him – and he really responded.
"And Jack Martin is playing some really good, consistent footy. We know he's a super talent and he's starting to play (well) week to week."
