After missing the opening rounds of the premiership season with an ankle injury sustained during the NAB Cup opener against the Brisbane Lions, Lynch was lively in his return to senior football – finishing with 15 disposals and 2 goals after looking dangerous near the goal square throughout the contest.
Speaking at Miami Aquatic Centre, Lynch told reporters he was pleased to get through the interstate clash unscathed after being out of the action for a lengthy period of time.
“It was good to get back into the team and get a win with the boys, which made the return a lot easier – but yes glad to be back,” said Lynch.
“I played two and a half games of footy through the NEAFL, and really ran it out against Redland which I think definitely helped because I showed on the weekend that I wasn’t too underdone.”
With the historic win at StarTrack Oval boasting the club’s highest score and greatest winning margin since their introduction to the national competition, Lynch believed the side would walk into Saturday night’s game against the Dockers with the added-belief of knowing the side could run teams out, but conceded the club would need to back up their efforts with the same passion and intensity they showed against the Giants.
“We’re starting to play good footy at home so I think we can play with a bit more effort and aggression, which was missing against Port Adelaide, than we can go a long way towards winning the game against the Dockers.”
Meanwhile, a humbled Jaeger O’Meara has accepted the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 5, but says he remains focused on winning games of football for the GC SUNS rather than pushing for individual accolades – despite entering the 2013 Season as the overwhelming favourite to win the prestigious award.
“I’m pleased to get the nomination, but more so pleased to have secured the four points against the GWS Giants,” said O’Meara.
“We played some great team footy on the weekend… (and) while it would be a good award to win I’m more focused on team accolades and winning games of football than claiming the Rising Star.”
