Lynch heads back to Perth with off-field roles on radar
West Coast premiership forward Quinten Lynch will pursue coaching opportunities after announcing his AFL retirement yesterday.
The 31-year-old, who led the Eagles' goal kicking in 2006 and 2007, will return to Perth in October with his wife Daneka and their children Addison and Louis.
His decision to call time on his 227-game career with West Coast (209) and the Magpies (18) was not a surprise.
Lynch is expected to turn his back on a WAFL return with former club West Perth, instead focusing on a move into coaching ranks at AFL or WAFL level or through the State under-18 program.
Selected at No.19 in the 2002 rookie draft, Lynch matured into a robust spearhead during his 11 seasons at the Eagles, capable of kicking goals from long range and pinch-hitting in the ruck when required. Lynch booted 11 goals during the 2006 finals series, including three in the grand final against Sydney, 12 months after he was overlooked for the decider.
He kicked 65 for the season, his best return at West Coast.
He finished second behind Dean Cox in the Eagles' best-and-fairest count in 2008 and became a crowd favourite for his trademark of throwing away his glove before taking a set shot at goal.
Lynch quit West Coast at the end of 2012, moving to Collingwood as a free agent.
He played all of his 18 games with the Magpies last year, a broken leg at VFL level earlier this year denying him a chance to crack a senior appearance.
"I have enjoyed a wonderful ride," Lynch told Collingwood's website.
"The frustrations of this year have only been a small part of a long career I was never sure I would have.
"It was fantastic to enjoy success with the Eagles and to finish my career in Melbourne with the experience of playing on the MCG in front of big crowds for a wonderful club.
"I have a lot of people to thank at two clubs and, hopefully, a lot of teammates to catch up with on both sides of the country in the years to come."
