Suns Gloomy On Lynch Retention Hopes

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew admits the chances of retaining co-captain Tom Lynch beyond this AFL season are "not looking great". 

The off-contract forward had successful surgery on his troublesome knee in Melbourne on Tuesday and will miss the remainder of the Suns' season.

Dew says he has "parked" discussions about Lynch's future for now but fears he may have played his last game for the struggling franchise. 

"We're trying to snap a losing streak and Tom can't help with that," Dew said on Wednesday.

"History suggests that if you don't know (if a player is staying) in round 18 and he's our captain, it's not looking great. 

"But that's the reality of AFL footy and we're certainly planning for both." 

Lynch is expected to fetch well in excess of $1 million a season with his next deal and the Suns' 11-game losing streak and 3-13 record are hardly helping their retention cause.

Suns chairman Tony Cochrane said it was "obvious" the club wanted a decision sooner rather than later from Lynch. 

"We're hopeful that straight after his operation is over that Tom gives us a clear indication of his intent," he told AAP on Wednesday.

"We've been patient, will continue to be patient and we're planning for either (scenario), but the sooner we know where we stand the better off we all are."

AAP