Tom Lynch's wayward goal-kicking won't be high on the agenda for Richmond coach Adem Yze in his review of the narrow four-point loss to Carlton.
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The Tigers' most experienced forward and two-time premiership star had chances to win a tight game off his own boot, but had an off night and finished with 2.7 to his name.
"To focus on that is the wrong way to go about it," Yze said after his side's season-opening 10.15 (75) to 9.17 (71) defeat at the MCG on Thursday night.
"He'll feel like he let his teammates down, but we won't be working that way.
"His patterns and the opportunity to score is the main thing."
Lynch kicked a first-quarter goal against the tide as Carlton built a 29-point lead before halftime, and finally added his second with two minutes left in the match.
It came after the 33-year-old spearhead was awarded a controversial free-kick deep in attack, and cut the margin to four points.
"You'd be pretty happy having that amount of shots in the first game of the season," Yze said.
"He looked really potent last week in a practice match as well. The cream on the top, we can fix that easily.
"I'd be more worried if he wasn't getting those opportunities. He'll work on that during the week."
Lynch won three free-kicks but gave away five, including one for high contact on young Blues defender Harry Dean off the ball, which caused a turnover when Richmond were on the attack.
"That's when he plays his best, when he plays on edge. That's why he's had 10 shots on goal," Yze said.
"There would've been some push and shove, whatever it is, but I'll back him in.
"There's probably some opportunities for him to get some free-kicks (too).
"He's getting double-teamed, he's a big man, they put a lot of time and effort into him."
Lynch faces a familiar foe when the Tigers host his former club Gold Coast at the MCG in round two.
Australian Associated Press
