The most dogged of all Tigers
RICHMOND forward Jacob Townsend has the ultimate story in persistence paying off.
The former GWS Giant is arguably the most unlikely participant in today’s AFL grand final but is set to play a critical role in the Tigers’ bid for their first premiership in 37 years.
Townsend, a former rugby union player from Leeton in southern NSW, has come from the clouds to steal a spot in the Richmond team.
Townsend was one of the original Giants. He arrived in Sydney’s west in 2011 and played in their first game in 2012 against the Swans. But he struggled to earn a permanent spot in the young but talentladen line up and played just 28 games in his four seasons.
Like many of his Giants teammates over the last six years, the lack of opportunity forced him to move south for the 2016 season in search of more game time. But the chances were even more scarce at Punt Road and Townsend played just four games in his first year before getting his chance when Jack Riewoldt was injured in round 22.
He grabbed his chance with both hands, kicking six goals against Fremantle and another five against St Kilda the next week. His stats were amazing — after two matches he’d had just 19 kicks for 11 goals for a Tony Lockett- like return.
But for Richmond coach Damien Hardwick it wasn’t Townsend’s goal- kicking that he picked him for, it was his contests, tackling and pressure.
“One thing about Jacob Townsend, he will give you a contest every day of the week,” Hardwick said.
“He’s incredible, I have to take him out of our training drills sometimes because I’m worried he’ll smash our players. He’s a great story of perseverance and he probably sums up our side a little bit.”