North Melbourne's Tom Lynch has called time on his AFL career.
The 31-year-old joined the Roos as a pre-season Supplemental Selection Period signing ahead of the 2022 season after being delisted by Adelaide at the cessation of last year.
The crafty forward made his AFL debut in 2009 with St Kilda, where he played three seasons before venturing to West Lakes in a trade including the Crows and Tigers.
Lynch played 158 of his 164 career games with Adelaide, spanning a decade where he booted 199 goals.
After leaving the Crows, Lynch was recruited to Arden Street in a role that would see the Beaumaris native take on a development coaching role with North Melbourne while holding a place on the club's list.
Lynch wouldn't feature in the blue and white at AFL level in his first season at the Roos, with AFL.com.auย reporting the three-club journeyman has decided to hang up the boots midway through the 2022 season.
Speaking to nmfc.com.au,ย North's GM of Football Brady Rawlings paid praise to the former first-round draftee.
โTom joined the club with a view to supporting and mentoring our young players on-field at VFL level. We havenโt required him at this stage this year so heโs made the selfless decision to retire and open up this list spot,โ Rawlings stated.
โHis football experience is of such value to our young group and he will continue to work with our development coaches for the remainder of the year in our VFL program.โ
The decision will see North Melbourne given more flexibility at Wednesday's Mid-Season Draft, with the Roos now having the option to select two players, with Rawlings adding that the club had a plan in place.
โWe have identified areas of our list we want to strengthen in the short-term. By having two selections it gives us the flexibility to address these key areas,โ Rawlings said.
First-year player Miller Bergman has been moved to the club's inactive list, with the Roos holding Pick 2 to open their draft night on June 1.
AFL clubs are required to submit their list vacancies to the league prior to the 2pm deadline on Tuesday.
