Richmond Star Tom Lynch Shares Story Behind Edited Team Photos
Richmond forward Tom Lynch has opened up about the amusing yet awkward situation that led to his middle finger being airbrushed out of an official team photo, all stemming from a serious medical condition that left photographers confused and red-faced.
The veteran AFL player was forced to undergo surgery to have his middle finger permanently fused after it became dislocated, with bone growth underneath causing severe pain during matches, particularly in wet conditions or when struck by opponents.
Medical Condition Leads to Photographic Misunderstanding
Lynch explained the incident to Hamish McLachlan on Channel 7's Unfiltered, detailing how a traditional footy pose turned into a comical misunderstanding. "We've got to clench your fists for team photos, it's the old footy tradition, so I did that without thinking about it," Lynch said. "Unfortunately, the photographer thought I was giving the rude finger to them."
He went on to reveal that his middle finger does not bend due to the fusion procedure. "I had to get it fused, pretty much permanently dislocated and bone had grown underneath it," Lynch continued. "It got so sore playing, especially wet games and getting punched on it by opposition trying to spoil the ball. It was really fat and I could hardly bend it anyway, so it's been fused ever since."
Photographer's Frustration and Editing Efforts
The misunderstanding resulted in the photographer having to painstakingly edit Lynch's fused finger out of every team photo, a task that caused some annoyance. "The photographer wasn't too happy with me, which he thought I was playing a joke on him, which I didn't think I was that immature," Lynch said. "I think he was pretty annoyed going through every photo in there airbrushing it out."
This incident highlights the challenges athletes face with injuries and how they can lead to unexpected situations off the field. The full episode of Unfiltered is available for streaming, offering more insights into Lynch's career and personal stories.
