The Big Unit Going Long:

Quinten Lynch (born January 23, 1983) is a West Coast Eagles Australian rules footballer sometimes known as The Big Unit or TBU because of his solidly built frame of 194cm and 104kg.

He was recruited from the WAFL club West Perth and made his debut in 2002. However, he did not play in 2003. He was suspended by the club for one week in 2004 due to him thinking that getting drunk and outrunning the cops was a good idea. He is a centre half-back but has played full-forward for almost all of the 2005 season which saw him play all 22 games of the regular season and the qualifying final against the Swans. But he was then dropped for the preliminary and Grand Finals. Stupid move as he was less likely to snort crack before the game than Michael Gairdner.

Originally from Grass Patch near Esperance in the Deep South of Western Australia, Quinten went on to schooling at Aquinas in Perth. While at Aquinas he also rowed in the 1st VIII. He is well known for his passionate displays on the field, especially when he does something wrong. He had a problem with marking in 2005 where it seemed to many commentators that his chest was a trampoline where the ball bounced off at will. He overcame this but suffered an injury late in the season which he carried and he could not play to his fullest in the finals and so was subsequently dropped.

Lynch's highlights in 2005 include, coming second on the Eagles' goal-kicking list, kicking 4 goals against Port Adelaide in round ten and he played very well in the terrible conditions in the Eagles' win over Essendon in round 12. He kicked 3 goals in trying weather and also asserted his authority upon the Essendon backs. So much so he hip and shouldered Ty Zantuck causing him to fall over and subsequently injure his ankle.

Enough of the frustrations, lets talk about his stella rise from the grand final ashes of last year (2005). In 2006 Lynch's form improved considerably and his penchant for dropping simple chest marks became a thing of the past. In fact now the only way to stop him marking is to infringe illegally upon him as he marks. During off-season training, Lynch underwent mental therapy to improve his marking skills and took 43 marks in the first 8 rounds of 2006. He also booted bags of one 4 and two 5-goal hauls, as well as a massive 8-goal haul against the Lions in round 20 to mark his greatest game to date, leaving him in the lead of the Eagles goalkicking for the year. But his goal kicking and improved marking should also be placed alongside his other contributions. With the absence of Dean "Big" Cox, he became the alternate ruckman, spending a large proportion of games in the ruck. Another feather in his great form turn-around.

Lynch is known for his booming 70+ metre kick, with a recent goal against the Kangaroos in Round 19 travelling a massive 80 metres. Lynch was looking for an option to pass to, but after a quick glance to judge the distance, off came the glove and through went a massive goal! The glove toss has become a Lynch trade mark, and cheers around the ground can be heard as he signals his intention to slot through a goal from long range.

But what we are here to discuss is the fact that for a key full-forward he doesn't recieve many free kicks. Where other forwards would only have to be in the general area where the ball is falling and they will be given a shot at goal, Lynch has to hold the mark until he tosses his glove!

So I am initiating the "Buy Quinten Lynch a Free Kick" fund. Send your money now and it will be delivered to the AFL umpires association to help them make the right decisions in season 2007.

Send your details and pledges of support and help Lynch become the legend of the game he deserves to be.