Richmond premiership player Jacob Townsend will join his third AFL club after Essendon signed him during the AFL pre-season supplemental selection period.
The 26-year-old, who has played 48 games for Richmond and GWS Giants, will link up with the Bombers after the Tigers delisted him at the end of this season.
Townsend kicked 16 goals in five games two years ago in the lead up to Richmond’s drought-breaking premiership, including two in the 2017 Grand Final.
He’s largely struggled for game time since, only making one senior appearance for the Tigers this year.
Bombers list and recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said the club would look to use him both in the forward line and midfield.
"Jacob will provide us with a really hard edge. He is a player that is really combative, and we felt that we needed these attributes in our line-up," Dodoro said on the club’s website.
"Jacob has the ability to apply pressure in our forward line, but we are also confident that he can play inside as a big-bodied midfielder.
"The focus for us was to find experienced players during this period and we believe Jacob can play a great role and have an instant impact at the club."
Townsend is the second player to be signed during this year’s pre-season supplemental selection period after Melbourne recruited former Essendon forward Mitch Brown.