Bundoora to debut AFL premiership player against Greensborough
NFL Division 1 premiership contender Bundoora will have more ex-AFL talent at its disposal this weekend with a third ex-AFL player to debut.
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Bundoora will have a third ex-AFL debutant this season.
The Bulls will unleash Jacob Townsend in Saturday’s NFL Division 1 blockbuster against Greensborough at War Memorial Park.
Townsend’s Queensland-based VFL club Southport has a bye this week and his aligned local footy club is Bundoora.
Originally from Leeton, Townsend is a 2017 Richmond premiership player, won the VFL’s JJ Liston Trophy the same year and added a VFL premiership with the Tigers in 2019.
Bundoora has already debuted Essendon best-and-fairest winner David Zaharakis and ex-Melbourne defender Neville Jetta this season.
Ex-AFL players Sam Lloyd and Hamish Shepheard debuted last season.
Bulls coach Michael Ryan was looking forward to added Townsend to the mix.
“”With Southport having the bye and him missing a couple of games the last month, he hasn’t had too many games under his belt.
“It’s worked out perfectly that this is one of the clubs he can play for us this year.
“He and Sammy Lloyd are pretty close so it’s good for them two to reunite and get a game together as well.
“He’s got the strength to play multiple positions, as a midfield and rest forward when he needs to.
“We’ll be guided by Towner and how his body is feeling on the day.”
Townsend played 62 AFL games across four clubs – GWS, Richmond, Essendon and Gold Coast – before being delisted by the Suns at the end of 2021.
In six VFL matches this season, the tough midfield-forward has averaged 11 disposals, four marks, three tackles and kicked 17 goals – including a bag of eight against Williamstown.
Bundoora sits third on the NFL Division 1 ladder with a 6-2 record, two games clear of Greensborough in fourth.
The Borough will be keen to atone for last week’s loss to North Heidelberg and Ryan knows his team will have its work cut out for it to take four points.
“It’s a huge game, Borough has had a sensational start to the year as well,” he said.
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“It’s a big game for both clubs heading into the break, so it’s vital we put our best foot forward.
“We’re definitely happy (with where we sit) but by no means are we the finished product but I’m pretty happy with the way the group is going at 6-2.”
With Richmond also on a VFL bye this week, Bundoora could have John Jorgensen, Tylar Young, Jackson Bowne and Jackson Davies all available.
Greensborough will hope Tom Brindley is made available by the Tigers while Joel Trudgeon could debut with Carlton also having a week off.
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