JACOB Townsend spotted Richmond development coach Xavier Clarke in the jam-packed Tiger rooms on Saturday night and made a beeline for him.

They embraced, and Townsend had two words for him: "Thank you." Clarke had prophetically told him, during his frustrating run stuck in the VFL, that he could play in an AFL Grand Final.

Townsend's story, once untold, is now a familiar tale in Richmond's remarkable run from 13th place a year ago to 2017 premiers.

The ex-Giant, the bloke with the stutter, the midfielder who couldn't get a senior game and went forward instead. Even then, he had to wait until round 22, after a Josh Caddy injury, for his chance. Townsend's story will now go down in Richmond folklore.

Townsend's 11-goal explosion in two games to finish the home and away season, on top of his ability to lockdown on some of the game's biggest defensive stars, finally made him a wanted man.

"I wasn't sure what I'd be doing (next year) in round 21 in the AFL – I was looking for jobs, looking for a carpentry job – and now I'm a premiership player," he told AFL.com.au.

"The feeling's amazing. I can't really put it into words. The change of fortunes in about a month or so has been amazing.

"It was just hard work and persistence. I'm not the most talented fella out there, but I try and give my all.

"I give credit to the coaches who put faith in me and who've given me a job out there every week. I didn't feel I was playing my best footy, but the whole list, the VFL boys, we're so tight now – it's amazing."

Townsend, who also claimed the J.J. Liston Trophy as the VFL's best and fairest player, remains out of contract, a status that should change in the near future.

He wants to savour this crowning moment for as long as it lasts, sure his playing future will "take care of itself".

Townsend's incredible rise would not have been complete, without him making an imprint on the Grand Final. His moment arrived in the second quarter, with the Tigers still trailing Adelaide.

Townsend, who had one disposal to this point, elevated for a mark against two Crows and received a free kick after one tugged his jumper.

The 24-year-old was far enough out from goal for doubt to fill his mind, but he instead went back coolly and executed his kick perfectly. Richmond never looked back.

"I didn't think about it too much, as in about the time in the game and all the emotion," he said.

"I just tried to go back and put it through and I was fortunate enough I did.

"We came in at half-time knowing if we brought that pressure and game style we've done all year that we were a fairly good chance – and we were.

"We went out there and did that, and we won a flag."

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