CRITICS may have come for boom Richmond recruit Tom Lynch this season but his coach Damien Hardwick has again launched a staunch defence of the spearhead on the back of an impressive outing against Greater Western Sydney.

Lynch booted three goals for a third straight match in a 27-point win over fellow top-four contender Greater Western Sydney in wet conditions at the MCG on Sunday.

He has bagged 37 goals at his new side since crossing from Gold Coast, and was ranked No.3 for marks inside 50 after Richmond's victory.

Tom Lynch and his Tiger mates belt out the theme song after sinking the Giants. Picture: AFL Photos

He worked well in tandem with Jack Riewoldt, who was back for the first time since April after a knee problem of his own and put in a performance that won praise from Hardwick.

"I thought he was huge in a couple of contests and some of those marks, and finished with some goals, which was the cream on top," Hardwick said of the former Sun.

"I think what people have to realise is we brought Tom Lynch to this footy club, not necessarily for the output of Tom, but to win games.

"If he wasn't playing at the start of the year when we had all those injuries and the concerns, we're not sitting where we are today.

"He's been so important to the way we play, the ability to bring the ball to ground and give those players another opportunity. He's incredibly important to us."

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The former Gold Coast captain was labelled a "liability" by champion Essendon goalkicker Matthew Lloyd in May, referring in particular to his movement and impact at ground level.

The 2016 All Australian was in rehab for much of the summer months after two surgeries on a posterior cruciate ligament issue in his right knee that cut his final year at the Suns short.

The Tigers look to be hitting form in the back half of the season, having leaped over the Giants in their third straight win and moving into fifth spot.

WATCH Damien Hardwick's full post-match media conference

With the likes of Josh Caddy, Jack Higgins, Liam Baker and Dan Butler in the VFL, Hardwick has plenty of options to call upon if needed.

"We've found some players that are going to be really, really good players," Hardwick said.

"I sat there and watched our twos today and (thought) 'Jeez, I'd like to play him, I'd like to play him, I'd like to play him'.

"We're very fortunate. Our list management and VFL team have done a terrific job developing these players."

Richmond has a six-day break ahead of a clash with Port Adelaide next Saturday afternoon at the MCG.