Jacob Townsend had to wait until Round 21 to make his debut for the Gold Coast Suns.
Townsend made an immediate impact in Saturday’s 19-point win over Carlton, kicking two goals, taking five marks and laying four tackles in his first senior appearance in 2021.
Dermott Brereton thinks the Suns could have used the 28-year-old’s hard edge to complement the club’s young brigade throughout the year.
“He’s a ripper. He’s genuinely tough,” Brereton told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“I look at this season for the Suns and because they’ve got so many young players … it triggered something in me to think … something that’s happened for years.
“Young players need someone to ride shotgun for them. Someone who if the chips are down, they’ll do something to the opposition and the opposition will focus on hurting that senior player, draw all the heat.
“When I saw him (Townsend) out there on the weekend … I cannot understand why they have not used him during this season.
“Perhaps Nick Holman, who is that blood and guts player, might have held him out of a spot.”
Brereton loved what the Richmond premiership player brought to the table against the Blues, especially when he went into the ruck.
“I’m a huge wrap for young (Tom) De Koning - and I say this with all due respect as an analyst - the first half of the game, the ruck contests between Zac Smith and De Koning were the softest centre bounce ruck contests I’ve seen all year,” the Hawks great said.
“Jacob Townsend at 6’1 steps in there and moves young De Koning sideways – and not only nil-all draws the tap out – wins it.
“I’m looking at Jacob and saying, ‘how many players have extended their careers because they ride shotgun’.”
Townsend has played 61 games spread across four clubs – GWS, Richmond, Essendon and the Suns.
The forward comes out of contract at the end of the season.