Alastair Lynch

Alastair Lynch
Personal information
Full name	Alastair Graeme Lynch
Nickname(s)	Lynchy
Date of birth	(1968-06-19) 19 June 1968 (age 48)
Place of birth	Burnie, Tasmania
Original team(s)	Hobart (TFL)
Draft	No. 50, 1986 National Draft, Fitzroy
Height / weight	193cm / 97kg
Position(s)	Forward
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1988–1993	Fitzroy	120 (173)
1994–1996	Brisbane Bears	032 0(89)
1997–2004	Brisbane Lions	154 (371)
Total		306 (633)
Representative team honours
Years	Team	Games (Goals)
1989–1993	Tasmania	4 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2004.
Career highlights
3× AFL premierships: (2001, 2002, 2003) Brisbane Lions captain: (1997–2000) Mitchell Medal: (1993) All-Australian team: (1993) Fitzroy leading goalkicker: (1993) Brisbane Bears leading goalkicker: (1996) 4× Brisbane Lions leading goalkicker: (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003) Fitzroy team of the century Tasmanian team of the century
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Alastair Graeme Lynch (born 19 June 1968) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is best known as a three-time premiership full-forward for the Brisbane Lions.

The Tasmanian began his career in defence where he became a club champion and leading goalkicker for Fitzroy. He represented his home state at elite level and at the peak of his career in 1993 he was acknowledged as one of the league's best with All Australian status in 1993. However he left a financially struggling Fitzroy to become a prize recruit for a new look Brisbane Bears after the club's move from the Gold Coast. With the merger of his former club Fitzroy and Brisbane, Lynch rejoined with former teammates and became club captain.

A long battle with chronic fatigue syndrome threatened his career; however, after many years in absence Lynch's return to form at a relatively late age in his career was hailed by the football community, and he became part of Brisbane Lions' celebrated premiership winning formula.

Lynch is a Tasmanian football legend, a favourite son at both Fitzroy and Brisbane clubs and holds the record for the most combined goals for the merged entity and one of the last remaining former Fitzroy players to play in the AFL.

Selected at pick 50 from the Hobart Football Club in the 1986 VFL Draft, Lynch began his senior football career at Fitzroy in 1988. He signed his first contract on 5 February. He was an intimidating player in defence, playing fullback and centre half back. In his early years his notable abilities were strong marking (his outstanding aerial abilities recognised when he won the 1989 Mark of the Year award) and heavy tackling. His titanic battles with key forwards such as Tony Lockett were highlights, and Lockett has commented on Lynch being one of his toughest opponents. In 1993, Fitzroy coach Robert Shaw moved Lynch to full forward, where he led the club's goal kicking with 68 goals and won the best and fairest award. Lynch also played fullback in the 1990 Tasmanian State of Origin team, the first Tasmanian team to defeat Victoria in 30 years.