Koroit footballer Tom Lynch overcomes multiple foot surgeries

The Koroit premiership defender has defied the odds to return to the football field after multiple feet surgeries.

Lynch, 24, will play his first senior game since the 2015 Hampden league grand final when he runs out against Portland at Hanlon Park on Saturday.

"I was told by the surgeon to never play sport and definitely not footy again, he recommended not to, but it's come good," he said.

He had resigned himself to life as a spectator.

"I sort of knew it was heading that way so it wasn't a shock. I was half aware of it," he said of the early dire prognosis.

But Lynch's fortunes began to change when he returned to the cricket pitch.

"I played a couple of games of cricket filling in at Koroit (this summer) because they were short," he said.

"I was reluctant to play but ended up playing the second half of the year comfortably with no problems and then went to footy training and built it up."

He made his comeback via the reserves on May 4 and has since strung 10 games together.

"It was a bit weird to start with (being back on the field), just trying to get my head around it," Lynch said.

"My first couple of weeks were ordinary but my last month has been OK."

Lynch's hard work culminated with senior selection on Thursday night with coach Chris McLaren admitting he was emotional announcing the news.

It was a memorable moment for the life-long Saint, who thanked his parents Terry and Helen Lynch and Dallas Ludeman for helping him on his journey.

"It was fantastic," he said of his recall.

"I am really happy about it, I didn't think it would happen so soon."

Lynch's foot problems first appeared in 2013 and progressed to the point of surgery on both in December 2016.

The landscaper by trade was forced to give up his preferred profession for a period but returned to the caper eight months ago.

"I've had two surgeries because the first one didn't work," he said.

"I tried to play in 2017 and it was no good.

"I was in moon boots for three weeks and off work for three months the first time and the second time I was off for four months."

Watching his Koroit teammates create history without him was the hardest part for Lynch.

He'd played his role in the 2015 premiership but was forced to watch on as the Saints added another three in a row.

"It was pretty devastating watching all the premierships," Lynch said.

"It was hard at the time but it's good to be back playing and have all that behind me."

The versatile defender, who can play on smalls and talls, will be joined in the Saints' back line by Jayden Watson.

Watson had the same foot operation as Lynch and hasn't played seniors since Koroit's 2017 premiership.

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