Lynch Confident The Tide Will Turn Quickly

East Perth recruit Aidan Lynch’s football career has come full circle.
 
The former West Perth midfielder grew up barracking for East Perth as a youngster, and now the 25-year-old will pull on the Royals jumper in 2020 after transferring from the Falcons in December.
 
“My family is actually East Perth supporters but the location where we were living is what drew me to West Perth,” said Lynch.
 
East Perth and West Perth boast one of the most traditional rivalries in the WAFL, playing in seven grand finals, and Lynch is confident that rivalry will continue.
  
“It’s interesting,” he said. “It was difficult to live that rivalry with East Perth (as a West Perth player) because of the alignment with the Eagles but now both teams are trying to bring that (rivalry) back, it’s exciting. 
 
“Hopefully we’ll be on the winning side a lot more than West Perth now.”

Lynch played 70 League games for the Falcons and was awarded the Prendergast Medal in 2014, as the best and fairest player in the WAFL Reserves competition.
 
A meeting with Football Manager Ward Harris, who told of an emerging East Perth list, was one factor in Lynch’s decision to move clubs.
 
“We had a chat about the path that East Perth has taken as a club since ending the alignment with West Coast last year and Jeremy Barnard’s plan for the team and the club," he said.
 
“It’s a good young group and I suppose being at West Perth for the past 5-6 years, I was kind of looking for a change as well and to develop my football even more.”
 
2019 was a year of growth for East Perth’s League side. Senior Coach Jeremy Barnard debuted more than a dozen players and put more game time in to his emerging group. 
 
Contested football is a strength of Lynch’s game and he is confident he can contribute to East Perth’s rise up the ladder.
 
“I was told that East Perth were last in contested possessions and clearances last season. I feel that’s one of the stronger aspects of my game.
 
“Hopefully I can provide a bit more leadership and experience to the side and just all round help the team.” 
 
Despite a difficult 2019 season for the Royals, Lynch knows the tide can turn quickly. 
 
“We’ve discussed why we’re here and that’s winning premierships,” he said.
 
“If we’re not aiming to be there on the final day then we’ve already kind of lost on the year.
 
“It’s hard to guarantee anything mid-December – but personally me and the team are aiming to play Finals and win the Flag. With the help of Barney and the other coaches, if we can do everything right and develop as a group, we can absolutely do that.”