Tom Lynch reported and facing more scrutiny after dirty day against Adelaide

Dual premiership Tiger Tom Lynch is facing a stint on the sidelines after throwing a wild punch at his Adelaide opponent Jordan Butts which hit Butts in the back of the head.

The second quarter incident occurred when Lynch’s marking attempt was spoiled in front of the members stand as three Crows surrounded him and he lost his cool with the game well out of Richmond’s reach and his stats sheet empty.

He threw a roundhouse punch, rarely seen nowadays, and struck Butts who fell to the ground. Butts picked himself up and kept playing and did not appear hurt as he helped the Crows to a 76-point win.

Lynch continued to remonstrate with Crows players who rushed over as the umpire tried to quell emotions by reporting Lynch. He fought with Mark Keane and Josh Worrell as his emotions seemed to overwhelm him.

Lynch had been held statless until that point and had given away a free kick only minutes earlier when he slung the close-checking Butts to the ground before engaging in a push and shove with the Crows’ Sam Berry.

He argued with the umpire for several minutes after that decision. Television cameras also caught his boot making minor contact with Worrell’s head in the first quarter when the Adelaide defender, who was dropping into the hole in front of Lynch, was on the ground.

Tom Lynch wrestles with Crows Josh Worrell (24) and Mark Keane.Credit: Getty Images

The Tiger, who is known for his white line fever, remained on the ground after the incident with just two minutes remaining in the half.

He had conceded five free kicks before he got his first touch at the 22-minute mark of the third quarter when he handballed the ball which led to a goal to Seth Campbell. He had not even registered a tackle until that point. He kicked a goal in the final minute of the third quarter, and finished the game with just two disposals from 112 minutes on the ground.

His performance was the lowlight of a dirty day for the Tigers who had not lost to the Crows at the MCG since 2008 before yesterday’s game, which drew just 23,231 spectators to the home of football.

Myketi Lefau was subbed out before half-time with a sore calf in his first senior game back from a knee reconstruction and Nick Vlastuin had three goals kicked on him by defender Max Michalanney, who played as a defensive forward.

Michalanney brought back memories of Shane Ellen’s famous performance for Adelaide in the 1997 grand final when he kicked five goals against St Kilda. Michalanney had kicked just one goal in his 59 games before Sunday.

Dan Curtin was outstanding for the Crows just days after it was announced he had signed a contract extension. The second-year player dominated his wing, kicking two goals while captain Jordan Dawson, who is a Brownlow Medal chance, was brilliant as usual.

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The Crows win puts them in third spot with five of their final eight games to be played in Adelaide, setting them up for a top-four spot.

Riley Thilthorpe is a star, and their defence was solid, with Butts showing no ill-effects from the incident and outmarking Lynch several times in the second half.

Richmond are battling to remain competitive but will recall Sam Lalor, while forgotten defender Josh Gibcus will play his first game for the season in the VFL. Both Luke Trainor and Jasper Elgar kicked the first goal of their career as they head to Geelong to play the Cats next week.

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