Former Richmond, GWS, Essendon and Gold Coast forward Jacob Townsend will return to the VFL for the remainder of the 2024 season after signing with Southport.
The 31-year-old heads back to the Sharks two years on his his sole season with the Queensland outfit, who he joined for their 2022 for a return of 37 goals as the standalone side reached the grand final.
After a year with QAFL side Broadbeach, Townsend is returning to the VFL for the back end of Southport's premiership push as they currently sit one win off top spot after 13 games.
"We are delighted that Jacob has agreed to return to the club for the rest of the year," Southport football boss Jarrod Field said.
"He will be a great addition to our forward line as we head into the last five home and away games of the season."
Townsend brings back over 60 games of AFL experience to Steve Daniel's squad, as well as premiership value as a member of Richmond's 2017 flag side.
The New South Wales-born forward started his career with GWS and would be traded to Richmond after four seasons and 28 games for the AFL's youngest club.
A purple patch of form - which included 11 goals in two games - saw Towsend feature in the final five games of Richmond's undefeated run to their drought-breaking flag, and would win the J.J. Liston Trophy as the VFL's best player the same year.
The medium-sized forward would add to his CV with a role in the Tigers' VFL premiership side two years later - his last at Punt Road before being delisted. Essendon handed Townsend a new chance with a spot on their list, with the right-footer managing 12 games in his only season for the Bombers.
The Suns came calling the year after, and a second career lifeline came via the Rookie Draft at the end of 2020. The 31-year-old made just two appearances before he announced his retirement from the top flight.
Townsend's return to Southport sees him join a host of ex-AFL players on the Sharks' list, with Boyd Woodcock, Jacob Dawson, Hugh Dixon, Brayden Crossley and Jay Lockhart each holding down key roles in the club's 9-4 start to the season.
Dixon sits equal third in the competition for goals in 2024 with 25 from 13 games, while former Geelong and Port Adelaide-listed tall Wylie Buzza has kicked nine goals from his eight appearances at his new club.
With an extra game played, the Sharks sit in fourth on the ladder behind Werribee, Footscray and Geelong, with just four points separating the top five - which also includes Brisbane's reserves.
The Sharks are scheduled for a bye this weekend, with Townsend's return game potentially coming in Round 16 when Southport host Box Hill at Fankhauser Reserve on July 13.
