RICHMOND forward Tom Lynch plans to make a private dash to the Tigers’ Gold Coast hub on Monday night after having surgery on a broken hand.
Lynch broke his right hand early in Sunday’s match against Melbourne, but played out the game while other key Tigers Trent Cotchin (hamstring), Dion Prestia (ankle) and Toby Nankervis (ankle) suffered serious ailments.
Richmond confirmed on Monday that Prestia and Nankervis would stay in Melbourne to have surgery with both suffering both suffering syndesmosis injuries.
Oliver embarrassed, Tigers are home
Melbourne's Clayton Oliver produces a kick to forget and is made to pay by Tom Lynch
It is believed that despite Lynch's surgery requirements, he is hopeful of playing in Sunday’s match against Sydney at the Gabba.
Provided Lynch checks into the team facility by midnight Monday, he will be able to serve, alongside his teammates, a Queensland Government requirement of 14 days of "isolation" as per COVID-19 regulations.
The Queensland government has allowed special dispensation for AFL clubs to train and play inside those 14 days. But if Lynch failed to arrive at the club’s hub facility by midnight Monday, a "re-set" on that 14 days for the entire group would be required from the time he did check-in.
Important Richmond players Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards will not be attending the Gold Coast hub, where the club will be based to prepare for its next five matches, for personal reasons.
Cotchin will also miss the Swans clash with his hamstring strain.