Tigers suffer 'unfortunate' triple blow after upset feat

The Tigers are counting the cost of their five-point upset victory over the Swans on Easter Sunday with forward pair Tom Lynch and Noah Balta suffering injuries, and Liam Baker charged with rough conduct.

Lynch left the field in the fourth quarter with a hamstring complaint after planting his foot awkwardly in a marking contest.

Richmond has since confirmed that Lynch has torn his left hamstring tendon and will likely require surgery, sidelining him for several months.

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Noah Balta of the Tigers and Lewis Melican of the Swans contest the ball.

Lynch only made four appearances in 2023 before being ruled out with a foot injury.

He underwent season-ending surgery after fracturing his right foot during the Tigers' round four loss to the Bulldogs.

"It is rotten luck for Tom, who worked extremely diligently to prepare his body for the season after what was a tough season for him last year," Richmond's general manager of football performance Tim Livingstone said.

"Unfortunately for Tom, he landed in a motion that has caused this injury.

"He will consult a surgeon in the coming days, which will give us a clearer picture of the injuries timeline, but we are expecting he will be out for the longer term."

Richmond's Tom Lynch celebrates a goal

Balta is also set for a long stint on the sidelines after a collision with Brodie Grundy in the dying minutes of the match.

He could miss between three and five weeks as he recovers from an MCL injury caused by a clash of knees.

Adding to the club's injury woes, forward Liam Baker was on Monday offered a one-week suspension for his head-high contact on Swans' defender Lewis Melican in the second quarter.

Baker headlined the Tigers' performance with coach Adem Yze proclaiming post-match that the club would give the off-contract star anything if he shunned free agency to remain at Punt Road.

The 26-year-old finished the match with two goals, 21 disposals and seven marks.

"We'll give him the world if he wants to stay at our footy club," Yze told media.

"If he decides to go, that's the nature of the game," Yze said. "But while he's here, we want him to play free and just enjoy his footy and make the decision when the time comes.

Baker was charged with rough conduct with match review officer Michael Christian grading the offence as careless conduct of medium impact and high contact.

Unfortunately, Baker appeared to take his eyes off the ball at the last minute before bumping Melican as he prepared to take a mark.

Richmond will need to front the tribunal if they wish to argue Baker's suspension be downgraded to a fine.

On a promising note for the Tigers, Dustin Martin (calf), Jack Graham (quad) and Dylan Grimes (wrist) could return for the side's Gather Round match against St Kilda.

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