A driven Jacob Townsend is ready to “break into the side and play as many games as [he] can” following an eventful few months.
Townsend’s September campaign was devastatingly cut short after he suffered a fibula fracture in the final VFL home and away game. The injury required surgery, sidelining the dynamic forward from finals in the yellow and black.
Townsend, one of Richmond’s 2017 premiership heroes, played 10 senior games and kicked 12 goals in 2018, with his last AFL game the Round 20 win against Geelong at the MCG.
As the trade period rolled around, he was delisted, with an assurance from the Club that it was committed to retaining him via the Rookie Draft.
As expected, he was selected in the Rookie Draft at pick 32 and welcomed back to Punt Road Oval.
With his rehab tracking well, Townsend, now in his fourth year as a Tiger, will be back to full training after the Christmas break.
The 25-year-old is thrilled to keep Tigerland as home.
“If something popped up I would have had a think about it, but I’ve made some lifelong friends here and I didn’t want to leave, so I’m pleased I’m still here,” he said.
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Despite his AFL career spanning over seven years, it was actually the first time Townsend was drafted, after being picked up by GWS as a zone selection before their inaugural season.
Townsend’s selection back into the Tigers also means that every player from the 2017 premiership side still remains on Richmond’s list.
“We’re a tight-knit bunch as a group,” he said.
“We’ve lost a few good men over the trade period but that’s the business we’re in.”
After favouring the midfield in his opening season as a Tiger, Townsend reshaped his game to have a crack up forward and hopefully clinch some senior games.
It worked, and after experiencing success as a forward in 2017 and 2018, he is now back working in the midfield where he hopes to develop his fitness and game.
“I’ll be seeing myself as a midfielder who can play forward, instead of a forward who can play midfield,” Townsend said.
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Reflecting on the rewards he reaped for his dedication in 2017, Townsend plans to reproduce the mentality he possessed during his breakthrough fairytale season.
“In 2017, I focused on playing good footy in the twos, so that when my chance came I’d be right to go. I was fortunate enough that the chance came and I took that, so I’ll have the same sort of mindset coming into this year,” he said.
“It’s another year for me to try and break into the side and play as many games as I can. I’ll be back into full training soon, try and get fit, and hopefully play some good footy.”
