WHEN Jacob Townsend was warming up for his first senior match of the season on Sunday, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick set him two simple objectives; apply pressure and kick a bag of six.
The first part would be easy for the tough ex-Giant, but with just four career goals to his name and none since 2015, the second part appeared to be impossible.
In just his fifth game as a Tiger, Townsend got to work early, kicking two of his team’s three first-quarter goals when the Dockers were up for the fight in their final game at Domain Stadium on Sunday.
He added another major in the second quarter and three more for the match, finishing with six goals, 16 disposals, five marks and four tackles, while holding Fremantle playmaker Michael Johnson to just 13 touches in a scarcely believable performance.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the fact Townsend was recruited as a hard-edged midfielder, with the brief of adding grunt to a Tigers midfield that – at the end of 2015, when the hard-nut was recruited – lacked toughness.
The 24-year-old will now go down in history as one of only two Tigers to kick half a dozen at Subiaco and he’s in elite company – club great Matthew Richardson reached the landmark twice in his decorated career.
WATCH: Townsend terrorises Dockers with six
"I did," admitted Hardwick, when questioned post-match about whether he cheekily challenged Townsend to kick six goals
"He was impressive, wasn’t he?
"He probably kept us in it (during) the first quarter.
"He did a bit of a job on Michael Johnson which we’re pleased (with) how that went.
"He’s had a really, really good year at VFL level. We probably just haven’t had the spot available for him.
"I was pleased for him. He’s hung tough all year, the coach hasn’t played him all year (and) he finally gets a reward.
"To finish with six goals (is) a terrific reward for a kid that’s hung tough all year."
WATCH: Damien Hardwick's full post-match media conference
The Tigers’ dominance was most telling through the engine room, with out-of-contract superstar Dustin Martin (36 disposals, six marks and two goals) leading a brigade of midfielders close to career-best form including Shaun Grigg (36 disposals), Bachar Houli (29 disposals) and Kane Lambert (22 disposals, three goals).
The thumping 104-point victory has Richmond a game clear in fourth position and sets up a tantalising fixture with the Saints next Sunday, who – pending results – could be fighting for a finals berth.
"(St Kilda) thoroughly embarrassed us the last time we played," Hardwick said.
"I’m not sure if they’re still playing for a finals spot but they’re certainly playing for a legend of the game and a legend of the club in Nick Riewoldt, so it’s going to be a hell of a game.
"We were really disappointed with how we performed in that game – it was a big game for the Riewoldt family and we let ourselves down."
But Hardwick empathised for Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, reflecting on his own team’s poor finish to 2016.
"I do know what Ross is going through," he said.
"We went through a similar thing last year when your boys are really struggling to find something to play for, which is tough.
"We got belted a couple of times late (last year).
"They’re a better side than they played today. Their first quarter’s more evident – when they’re up and going – of how they can play."
