Hawthorn has been dealt a major blow with a promising young player ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 AFL season.
The 24-year-old was subbed out at halftime of his first match for the season against Adelaide in round 6, with the concussion he sustained understood to be the ninth of his career.
Lynch has been placed on the Hawks’ long-term injury list, with head doctor Liam West saying the club would take an “extremely cautious” approach to ensure he makes a full recovery.
“We have adopted an incredibly cautious approach with Max’s recovery timeline given his concussion history, and this move affords him the best chance to return to full health,” West said.
“While we’ve seen some good improvement from Max and he had resumed gentle exercise, our focus is fully centred around him becoming symptom-free.
Lynch has been concussed several times in his eight games at Hawthorn, including from a blow to the head in the dying minutes of the round 10 win over Brisbane in Launceston last year. Picture: Steve Bell / Getty Images
“Max is 100 per cent on board with this decision, and by removing the pressures of attempting to progress through the return-to-play protocol, it provides great comfort for him and his family.”
Repeat head knocks have interrupted Lynch’s first two seasons at Hawthorn after he crossed over from the Magpies, where he played three games in five seasons before departing at the end of 2021.
The decision to place him on the inactive list will allow the Hawks to take an additional selection at the upcoming mid-season draft.
The Hawks have placed the 24-year-old ruckman on the long-term injury list, opening up a spot which can be filled at this month’s mid-season draft. Picture: Mark Stewart
Hawthorn already had one vacant list spot it did not fill during the pre-season supplementary selection period, and will have access to a top three pick depending on ladder positions ahead of the May 31 draft.
Hawks football boss Rob McCartney said football was a secondary priority for Lynch as he focuses on his health and wellbeing.
“Max is a popular figure at our club and everyone here at Hawthorn is behind him,” McCartney said.
“We all know the challenges that are associated with this type of injury, and Max is showing great positivity and patience through the process.
“Max will be given all the time and support he needs in his recovery – his safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority – football now becomes secondary.”