WHEN Tom Lynch returns to Gold Coast training on Monday morning, it will begin a 12-month ordeal for the Suns that might shape their immediate future.
It also looms as the beginning of an Australian sporting version of David versus Goliath.
Lynch, the 199cm, All Australian club co-captain, is out of contract and a restricted free agent at the end of 2018, and will be one of the biggest storylines of next season.
And the biggest AFL club in the land, Collingwood, has enough salary cap space to add the 25-year-old to its list.
Unlike previous contract negotiations, where his loyalty has led him to a quick resolution and most likely a reduction in money, the game-changing power forward should – and likely will – let this drag out all year.
His manager Robbie D'Orazio told NAB AFL Trade Radio last month that Lynch would assess the trajectory of the Suns in 2018 before making a decision.
Why wouldn't he?
Last season it was Dustin Martin that played the waiting game and cashed in as competing clubs upped his value.
Lynch could command one of the richest deals in the game's history.
It won't be just Collingwood chasing him either – although the thought of Eddie McGuire and Tony Cochrane exchanging barbs is appealing – but every Victorian club with cap space will feverishly pitch their case.
There's plenty of questions, but ultimately just one answer.
What can the Suns do to persuade the 121-gamer to stay at Metricon Stadium?
He's fiercely loyal, but watching Dion Prestia leave, play in front of huge crowds and win a flag must have made Lynch just a tiny bit jealous.
Charlie Dixon left – by mutual arrangement – and has starred in front of packed Adelaide Oval crowds for Port.
Lynch is the man his teammates look up to. As far back as his second season, he was earmarked as a club captain, and has delivered year after year with his steadfast actions.
D'Orazio described him as a "competitive beast" and that's a fair description.
The prospect of playing at the MCG in front of bumper crowds must be appealing to a Victorian in the prime of his career.
Meanwhile, the Suns averaged less than 14,000 at each home match last season.
Lynch has busted his backside for seven seasons and earnt the right to sit and ponder the next 12 months just what is best for his future.
Being a restricted free agent is another layer – regardless of what Lynch 'decides', the Suns could match any opposing offer and he'd be forced to stay.
He is worth every dollar he gets.
Stuart Dew might have a magic wand, and he may need one, to keep the quietly-spoken leader from joining the exodus of stars that have left the Suns in recent seasons.
A few wins, some big improvement and a culture he sees a future with though, and Lynch is the type of guy to stick around and finish what he started in 2011.
Whatever happens, it'll be a fascinating ride.
