Superstar key forward Tom Lynch looks set to become a Tiger after the other clubs chasing his signature were told to look elsewhere.
Richmond, Collingwood and Hawthorn were all in the hunt for the former Suns captain, with the latter two being informed Lynch would be joining the Tigers.
According to The Age's Michael Gleeson, Lynch will link up with Richmond as a free agent in the upcoming player movement window.
Lynch reportedly snubbed a big money offer from the Gold Coast in favour of returning to his native Victoria.
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Should the move pan out as expected, the merits of free agency will again be questioned.
Richmond are headed into another finals series as hot favourites and reigning premiers.
The prospect of a 25-year-old recent All Australian key forward joining them is sure to have the rest of the competition green with envy.
Gleeson reports that Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and some senior players met with Lynch at his parents' home, while Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead flew to the Gold Coast to chat with him last week.
Neither party could persuade the two-time club best and fairest to change his mind, which was reportedly set on Richmond some time ago.
After much speculation, Lynch announced early last month that he would be exercising his free agency rights, departing the Suns after 254 goals in 131 games.
The restricted and unrestricted free agency window runs from October 5-12, though the Tigers' focus will be on going back-to-back, starting with Thursday night's qualifying final against Hawthorn..
