Herald Sun's chief football journalist Mark Robinson has backed out-of-contract Sun Tom Lynch to end up at Collingwood in 2019.
It comes after Pies coach Nathan Buckley's recently said Lynch should sign wherever he wishes and not be persuaded by the AFL.
“A guy told me he was going to Collingwood,” Robinson told AFL 360 Extra.
“I found it really intriguing Nathan Buckley’s reaction to Paul Roos’ comments this week.
“No other coach has spoken out about what Paul Roos said.
“Paul Roos said that the AFL should get involved and not let Tom Lynch leave the Gold Coast, which was odd anyway because Roosy doesn’t like the AFL getting involved in anything, but he is probably looking after Stuey Dew because he is his mate.
“But Bucks piped up and said, ‘hey the AFL can’t do that’. And I thought to myself, you’re protesting too much. So I think he is going to the Pies.”
The star forward has kicked 249 goals across his 128-game career for the Suns which includes an All-Australian jersey in 2016, and is likely to command a $1 million per-season deal.
He has struggled with injuries this season, booting 15 goals from seven games, as has been the story of Gold Coast's troubled season, who have lost their past five matches and sit 15th on the ladder.
Lynch has also been linked to Hawthorn and Richmond, and as the Suns' struggles continue, it is increasingly likely that he will playing for one of the big Victorian clubs next season.
