Dermott Brereton names the toughest player in the AFL

AFL legend Dermott Brereton has made a huge call, naming the league’s “toughest” star after a historic thrashing over the weekend.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 20: Jacob Townsend of the Tigers celebrates a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Richmond Tigers at Domain Stadium on August 20, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

PLAYING in the AFL is no mean feat, just look at the amount of players who get stretchered off each week after brutal collisions.

We’ve seen some astonishing feats of toughness this year, especially from the likes of Joel Selwood. The Geelong star is famous for his courage in marking contests and has suffered vicious head knocks worthy of the UFC on number of occasions throughout the season.

Teammate Patrick Dangerfield is another good example, pulling off a stunning five-goal performance last month against Hawthorn after returning to the field carrying what first appeared to be a match-ending leg injury.

But AFL legend Dermott Brereton thinks there’s a man hardier than the two Cats midfielders — and he’s not a widely known name by any means.

‘He’s the toughest player in the AFL’.

Tigers star Jacob Townsend brought Domain Stadium to its knees Sunday afternoon with a stellar six-goal effort, sending Fremantle into a world of pain as the Dockers succumbed to a historic loss.

The 24-year-old has had a start-stop career since debuting in the league in 2012 for Greater Western Sydner, playing just 33 matches in five years. His effort on Sunday afternoon also more than doubled his total AFL goal count.

“He’s the toughest player playing AFL ... there’s no one tougher,” Brereton told SEN’s The Run Home Monday afternoon. “He will do anything for you and (will do) anything asked of him.

“Hopefully the six goals sparks his career but it’s a pity he doesn’t have a touch more talent so that he is a 22-game a season player because he is such a wonderful young man.”

‘IT SEEMED POINTLESS’: STAR’S WEIRD CONFESSION

Ask any coach from under 12s to the AFL and he’ll tell you the more time spent perfecting your skills, the better.

But that doesn’t seem to be Melbourne defender Michael Hibberd’s approach after returning from a year-long ban in the wake of Essendon’s supplement’s saga.

The 27-year-old star has enjoyed a stellar season at half-back after joining the Dees, averaging an above-average 27 disposals per game and leads his club’s rebound 50s count despite being absent the first four rounds.

Hibberd admitted he dropped off in his preparation for the 2017 and enjoyed his year away from the sport on holiday.

“They (other suspended players) trained pretty hard but we didn’t see the point of training as AFL players, not that we wanted to anyway,” he said in an interview with SEN’s The Run Home.

“Training like an AFL footballer when you can’t go out and crash and bash on the weekend seemed a bit pointless.”

Michael Hibberd has played a handy role in the Dee’s finals charge.