Dual Richmond premiership key forward star Tom Lynch again highlighted why he is such a significant member of the Tigers’ team with a dominant display in last night’s stirring success against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

Lynch, the subject of football media criticism during the lead-up to the match, after going scoreless in the Round 6 loss to Melbourne, took an equal game-high 12 marks, including a game-high seven marks inside 50, an equal game-high four contested marks, kicked three goals (3.5) and had a game-high 11 score involvements.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick, who passionately defended Lynch in his weekly press conference last Wednesday, was delighted with how strongly he stood up for the undermanned Tigers against the ladder leaders.

“Tommy Lynch responded really well . . . looked a dominant man inside 50,” Hardwick said in his post-match press conference.

“What we were really happy with was his competitiveness in the contest and getting the ball to ground for our ‘smalls’. But, more importantly, taking some big, important marks.

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin also paid tribute to Lynch, not only for his performance on the night, but what he provides the team with on a consistent basis.

“He’s just amazing, the big fella. Every week, he works his ring off,” Cotchin said on Channel Seven.

“He’s normally competing against two or three (opponents).

“I think his work-rate tonight really stood out for me, and just the activity inside 50.

“He’s obviously hard to play on . . . he’s a big boy.”