Tom Lynch was instrumental in delivering two premierships to Tigerland, in transforming the 2017 premiers into a triple flag dynasty.

It is hard to exaggerate the importance to Richmond of landing Lynch as a free agent, when he might have either stayed at Gold Coast or, more feasibly, signed with Collingwood, bearing in mind that the Magpies played off in 2018, were close in 2019 and would soon have the genetic bounty of Nick Daicos.

Free agent Tom Lynch has featured in two flags at Richmond.Credit: AFL Photos

But Lynch is one of the very rare examples of a free agent who has had a profound impact on clubs. The rule has been more game-shaping in giving players greater freedom – and in spawning mega-long contracts – than in shaping the ladder and results of finals and grand finals.

Only 66 players have swapped clubs as unrestricted or restricted free agents since the rule was introduced in 2012 – that’s an average of just 5.5 per post-season. Hardly a flood.

That number doesn’t count two champions, though, who used their free agency as a lever to be traded (their original club either matching the deal or making clear they would): Geelong pair Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron.

Only four genuine superstars have swapped clubs directly or indirectly via free agency: Lynch (2018), Dangerfield (2015), Cameron (2020) and the transfer that shook the competition to its foundations, Lance Franklin (2013). That’s not to underestimate the importance of Eddie Betts leaving Carlton for the Crows (2013), either.

Champion Cats Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield.Credit: AFL Photos

More pertinent, just three restricted or unrestricted free agents – James Frawley, Lynch, and Isaac Smith – have played in premierships after signing, five if you count Cameron and Dangerfield. Dan McStay (Collingwood) was stiff to miss last year, having played a role in getting the Pies to the grand final.

Franklin did not deliver the flag to a team that was often in the frame, but the Buddy monster deal of $10 million over nine years saw the Swans reach three grand finals – they were unlucky in 2016 – and retain or enhance their dominant position in a market that also housed a new team, the Giants, which the AFL had hoped would snare Buddy.