Gold Coast SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans has this afternoon released the following statement.





“Upon our request Tom Lynch has advised the club of his desire to exercise his rights as a Restricted Free Agent during October’s Free Agency Period.

“We’ve been in constant dialogue with Tom and his management throughout the year, early last month we had indications that the decision was heading this way and we asked Tom to give us a decision when he returned to the club.

“He returned to the Gold Coast after surgery today and informed us and the playing group of his intent. We accept that the Free Agency system provides this option for Tom and will move forward with the best interests of the club at heart.

“I can confirm that the Board, senior members of our Football Department & the Player Leadership Group share a view that Tom should relinquish his captaincy of the club and therefore his position has been rescinded.

“The club will continue to assist Tom with his rehabilitation from injury, however he won’t be part of the football program for the remainder of the season.

“Tom understands all the mechanics of being a Restricted Free Agent, which ultimately can’t come to a conclusion until October.

“Importantly for us we still have four matches to play this season and our focus is on continuing to build an environment and game plan that will set us up for the future.”