Richmond star Tom Lynch is backing new partner-in-crime Noah Balta to add a new dimension to the Tigers’ attack.
Jack Riewoldt operated as Richmond’s only legitimate key forward in the first of its three flags in four seasons before Lynch arrived from Gold Coast ahead of the 2019 season.
Balta’s switch from defence to the forward line means the Tigers will be bursting with marking power up front and the results were promising in the pre-season games.
“I think it’ll work pretty well,” Lynch said.
“We’re experimenting a bit at the moment, so we’re not 100 per cent sure, but Noah’s obviously a very, very good player.
“He’s got a lot of strengths and he’s pretty raw, so he’s going to bring a fair bit to that forward line and we think we can work pretty well (together).”
Lynch kicked multiple goxjmtzywals in Richmond’s practice game against Geelong and Community Series clash with Hawthorn after returning from a hamstring setback.
The 29-year-old said his hamstring issue was now “fine” ahead of the Tigers’ season opener against Carlton on Thursday night but there is still doubt about co-captain Dylan Grimes after thumb surgery about a week ago.
“We’ll wait and see. He had a bit of a run around (on Sunday) and he looked OK,” Lynch said of Grimes.
“He only recently had surgery, so we’re hopeful but he hasn’t been ruled out at this stage.”
The Balta experiment is largely possible because of Robbie Tarrant’s arrival from North Melbourne, as well as top-10 draftee Josh Gibcus’ smooth transition to the elite level.
Lynch also hopes more games out of premiership players Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia and Ivan Soldo will help Richmond surge back up the ladder.
“I think the last few years took a fair bit out of us. Like everyone, Covid’s been pretty tough and we felt like we were sort of just hanging on a bit last year,” he said.
“We obviously would’ve loved to play finals last year but it gave us a (chance) to get away, refresh and come back to pre-season with plenty of energy, so I think we’ve done that.
“We want to contend every year and play finals, but it might’ve been a little blessing in disguise.”
