Although Richmond prized key-forward recruit Tom Lynch’s scoreboard impact has slowed in the past couple of matches, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick continues to be pleased with his overall important contribution to the team’s cause.

Lynch kicked 16 goals in his first four games for Richmond, but has managed only one since.

He is second behind Greater Western Sydney’s Jeremy Cameron (24 goals) in the 2019 Coleman Medal race.

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Hardwick, however, declared that Lynch had more to offer the Tigers on-field than merely steering through six-pointers.

“He’s a very good player, Tom, but he’s also required to play a certain way and a role,” Hardwick said.

“Last week (v Melbourne on Anzac Eve), he kicked one goal and people look at it and say he didn’t have a huge impact. But he brings the ball to ground, which is what we haven’t had to the level of what we’ve got with Tom now.

“His role, from when he was at the Gold Coast, is different to his role now at Richmond.

“He’s not a real lead-up-type forward that will get up the ground, as he was at Gold Coast.

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“We require him to play a different brand of football here . . .

“Both are of value, we just value different things, and he’s learning to value those things as well, which is really important the way we play.”