The Queenstown Recreation Ground (aka 'The Rec') almost ended the career of an Australian Rules Football legend before it even began. Local teenager Alastair Lynch was not considered hard enough to play on the famous gravel oval, and was dropped by the Lyell-Gormanston Football Club. Lynch went on to become one of the best players to ever emerge from Tasmania when he was drafted to Fitzroy, then played for the Brisbane Bears before winning three consecutive premierships with the Brisbane Lions. Ironically the Blue & Red jumper he wore in AFL Premierships was the same design as the one he left behind at Lyell-Gormy. 

Alastair Lynch was the special guest speaker at the AFL Luncheon held by the Carbine Club Tasmania at Wrest Point Casino Hotel on Friday June 17. The 200 attendees were enthralled by the stories which emerged during the interview conducted by Carbine Club Committee member Wendy Kennedy. From his humble beginning in Queenstown to playing in Hobart under footy icon and legend Peter Hudson, through to his time in Melbourne and Brisbane at the top level, Lynch spoke freely about football, family, fatigue and fights.

The interview was interspersed with historic footage of his career highlights, the 'Mark of The Year' he won in 1989 and the notorious 'Premiership Punch-Up' in his last game in 2004, which he described as his most regrettable on-field incident.