The imposing Lynch was a standout key forward target when the Magpies went through high level match assimilation drills at Gosch’s Park in Melbourne on Monday.
But concerns continue to mount for the gifted Thomas as the line-breaking midfielder was restricted to just walking laps.
Thomas is still noticably limping in his light walking duties and appears well short of resuming anywhere near full running and training.
Thomas, 25, is recovering from surgery to his left ankle and appears increasingly more likely to miss crucial early round engagements.
The Pies confront North Melbourne in Round 1, then bitter rival Carlton and premiership favourites Hawthorn in the following two appointments to launch another title race as a major contender to finish in the final top four.
Lynch, though, is on track to add crucial forward line firepower in tandem with big Travis Cloke as well as offer handy relief back-up to frontline ruck force Darren Jolly.
Jolly, 31, appears as fine-tuned and ready to lead the impressive Pies on-ball battery as does Lynch as well as surprise back-up big man recruit Ben Hudson, who was also a standout performer during Monday’s trackwork.
Lynch is understood to have made quite an impression in his settling into the Pies playing group after a surprise move from West Coast as a free agent after 11 seasons and 209 games with the Eagles, including the 2006 premiership.
Lynch, who turns 30 two days before Australia Day this week, was a prime leading and marking target in match drills on Monday as Cloke was restricted in his training as a member of the rehabilitation group.
Cloke joined versatile duo Tyson Goldsack and Alan Toovey in lighter skills drills on the sidelines along with Hawthorn ace recruit Clinton Young.
The premiership winger was another significant recruit in free trade movements back in October along with Lynch and offers enviable depth and finishing class to an already highly competent and potentially damaging midfield.
Veteran stoppages expert Luke Ball is another significant training contributor in Pies pre-season fine-tuning.
The gun on-baller is completing final stages of his full recovery from a total knee reconstruction after the courageous follower snapped his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the horror 10-goal loss to Carlton in Round 3 last April.
Ball, 28, is on course for a Round 1 return after an anticipated confirmation of an earlier than expected full recovery with certain match-time appearances through the NAB Cup series through February and March.
The Pies look highly capable of fulfilling a vital top-four and double-chance finish in September with prospects of laying that important foundation with up to eight or nine wins before their Round 13 bye.
Apart from successive showdowns with stiff opponents Carlton and Hawks in mid-April, the Pies confront a defining three engagements with Fremantle in Perth for Round 7 and then Geelong and just six days later reigning champions Sydney both at the MCG.
Coach Nathan Buckley and his Pies also must overcome a potentially gruelling last month of August in clashes with other anticipated final four aspirants Essendon, Sydney at ANZ Stadium, then the Hawks, West Coast and North all at the MCG.