But that doesn't mean he is about to fade away.

 

After an impressive opening month in 2013, his wick got low in a rush.

 

In the end, despite 18 games, Lynch wasn't happy with the way the season turned out. He missed out on playing in Collingwood's only final.

 

But with the new season a month away, the fire has returned to the 192cm goalkicker and after a strong summer, Lynch is ready to put his best foot forward.

 

Curiously though, many observers have written him off already.

 

The arrival of Jesse White, emergence of Brodie Grundy and possibility of Ben Reid playing forward has created scepticism, with many wondering what role Lynch will play in 2014.

 

"Time will tell," Lynch told AFL.com.au.

 

The statement is direct but it is delivered seriously. Lynch does not appear to be the smirking type. He understands where he sits and that he has to prove his worth. But that does not mean he is perturbed by the renewed competition for spots.

 

"[It's] exactly what you want when you are trying to be a good footy side," Lynch said.  

 

Although coach Nathan Buckley has not minced words when describing Lynch's performance in 2013, he has also kept the door well and truly open for anyone to play if their form demands selection. And Lynch showed in the opening month last season that when he is firing, he can cause significant damage.

 

But after 227 games and a premiership with the Eagles (in 2006), Lynch knows the arrival of White gives his coaches options that cloud his future.

 

"[It] depends how much they want to use Jesse in the ruck and where they see that role coming in," he said. 

"They might decide they want to only play two talls and a sort of mid-sized third tall so that would probably leave me out of the mix. I can't control that … I will control what I can control for now."

 

He has no time for doubters. Positioning his enormous frame in a seat at the Balgownie Estate Resort in the Yarra Valley, Lynch grimaces when asked whether he is aware there are those wondering where he will fit in.

 

"I don't really care what other people think," he said.

 

It's that competitive attitude that has served him so well in a long career.

 

He is honest enough with himself that when asked to evaluate his 2013 season, he pulls no punches.

 

"It wasn't anywhere near where I would've liked it to have been," Lynch said.

 

However, one thing Lynch, 31, hates talking about is why last year did not turn out how he hoped. He doesn't want to use any excuses for his drop off in form. And he wants to start afresh.

 

But when pressed about what might have led to fatigue setting in midway through the season, he speculates that he might have gone "a bit hard a bit early".

 

He suspects he also might have underestimated the energy used moving his family from Perth to Melbourne, while his body might have finally rebelled to the enormous work he has always put into remaining strong and fit.

 

As a result he has slightly adjusted the hard-working approach that has served him so well for so long.

 

"I'm probably just doing what's put in front of me rather than doing things off my own bat," he said.

"That's probably all it came down to but that [working hard] is one of my strengths so it is not something you want to take away all together. It's a fine line that you walk and you just have to make sure you don't step over to the wrong side of it."

 

It gives many around the club hope that Lynch can be a significant contributor in 2014. Lynch is only worrying about what he can control, keeping the objectives simple and the ambitions real.

 

"[It's] just be fit, healthy and be in good enough form to be picked if wanted, so that is all I can control and go from there," Lynch said.

 

He also understands teammates and structures and is more certain about what lies ahead. He has had a good pre-season and is fit.

 

Lynch can't do any more than that at this stage. He knows better than most that form sometimes comes and goes like waves on a lonely beach.

 

Motivated about what he sees unfolding around him, he wants to play good football to ensure he is involved. 

 

"This club has a big opportunity in front of it and I just want to be a part of it. Whether that means playing every game or a dozen games I'm not sure. I just have to be fit and ready to go when I get my chance and make the most of it," Lynch said.

 

He loves being part of Collingwood, as rapt now as he was this time last year to have made the move and looking forward to what might be in store for him in 2014.

 

"[I] just want to make every post a winner," Lynch said.