With 11 goals from his only two appearances at AFL level this season, Jacob Townsend shapes as something of an X-factor for Richmond going into the 2017 finals series.
Townsend has captured the imagination of the Yellow and Black faithful with his goalkicking exploits in the final two home-and-away games of the season (six goals v Fremantle, Round 22 and five goals v St Kilda, Round 23).
The 24-year-old has shown there’s a fair bit more to his game than the toughness and inside-midfield grunt work that he’s been renowned for.
But, in typically no-fuss fashion, Townsend is keeping his new-found football fame in perspective.
“I’m not too sure where it’s come from, actually, these goals, but I’ll take them,” Townsend told K rock following his five-goal display against St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday.
“It’s a credit to the boys. Obviously I can’t kick goals if the boys in the midfield – ‘Cotch’ (Trent Cotchin), Dion (Prestia), Dusty Martin, the superstar, aren’t getting the ball down for me.
“I’ve just been the fortunate one there that’s ended up with a few of the goals.”
Townsend has, in fact, kicked his 11 goals from only 12 shots, and 19 kicks in total throughout the past two games, which highlights how efficient he’s been.
He admitted, however, that accurate set-shot kicking for goal had not previously been his strong suit.
“No it wasn’t . . . I’ve been doing some extra work on that after training because I knew if I was going to get a game, it would be down forward. It’s paying off, which has been good,” he said.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was full of praise for what Townsend has been able to produce on the field of battle, at the game’s highest level, during the past fortnight.
“He’s been incredible,” Hardwick said.
“Credit where credit’s due . . . he’s put in a lot of hard work.
“He’s had a great season at VFL level under Craig McRae, he gets his chance, and he’s just stepped up . . .
“He creates a contest, he’s tough.
“His ability to create a contest, against a very good player in (key St Kilda defender) Jake Carlisle, was outstanding.”
The Tigers’ captain Trent Cotchin concurred with Hardwick’s sentiments on Townsend . . .
“It’s been super impressive from ‘Towner’,” Cotchin told 3AW.
“The greatest thing I recognise, aside from him kicking the goals, and that’s just reward for what he’s had to do, is just his contest work . . . that’s what we love about him.
“He brings 100 percent effort, 100 percent of the time, and that’s all you can ask . . .
“We’re getting absolutely the maximum out of him, that’s for sure.”
