TOM LYNCH might want to steer clear of Rodney Eade for a while after the Gold Coast coach slammed his vice-captain's final quarter report against the Sydney Swans as "totally undisciplined".
Lynch was reported in the dying minutes of the Suns' 38-point loss after he punched the stomach of Swans defender Jeremy Laidler.
Although Eade is hopeful Lynch might escape with just a fine from the Match Review Panel, he didn't hold back in berating his star goalkicker, saying he had warned Lynch in recent weeks about walking the discipline tightrope.
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"I did see Tom's incident," Eade said.
"It was undisciplined, undisciplined.
"There's nothing much in it as such. A lot of other players this year have had the jumper punch, (Robbie) Gray and a few other guys and got off, got a fine.
"Laidler stayed on and was OK, so I don't think there's anything there.
"From our point of view it was totally undisciplined from a leader.
"He's been spoken to, so he knows, and certainly he knew tonight.
"It's not acceptable, it's not acceptable, especially as a leader.
"With two minutes to go, nothing in the game, you can't get frustrated like that."
Lynch's indiscretion was a poor full stop on what had been a competitive performance from a Suns team that lost their eighth straight match.
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They won the disposals (399-393), contested possessions (199-192), clearances (52-44), and racked up a club-record 119 tackles, but were outclassed in the end.
Eade said he was pleased with 20 or 21 of his 22 players and thought there was significant growth on previous weeks.
Ryan Davis and Jeremy Laidler succumbed to the conditions momentarily. Picture: AFL Media
"They're a really good side, they're close to the best team in the competition and it was their cleanness under a little bit of pressure (that was the difference)," he said.
"Under extreme pressure we really tried hard, but couldn't quite get a good takeaway or good exit. That was the difference."
After getting five players back from injury this week, Eade said more would likely return to play Richmond next Sunday.
Trent McKenzie and Rory Thompson both played in the NEAFL and got through well, while Sam Day and Jarrad Grant will both likely be available.
