Richmond great Matthew Richardson believes there is a silver lining for dual Tiger premiership star key forward Tom Lynch as he deals with another long-term injury.

Lynch, who managed only four games last year because of a serious foot injury, recently underwent surgery for a hamstring tendon injury sustained in Richmond’s Round 4 victory over Sydney and is not expected to play again until late this season.

Richardson, however, has high hopes the 31-year-old can emulate his former Tiger teammate Jack Riewoldt, and Geelong star spearhead Tom Hawkins, by playing into his mid-30s.

Riewoldt retired at the end of last season, aged 34, while Hawkins is still going strong as a 35-year-old (36 in July).

“Tom’s just got to get the work in and get his body right,” Richardson said on the Club’s podcast, Talking Tigers.

 “If he gets back late this year, he’s basically going to have missed two seasons. So, that’s two seasons of hits you haven’t taken.

“Potentially, he could play for another three or four years.”

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