John Townsend

DOB: 16 June, 1943
Debut: Round 11, 1962 against Hawthorn at Glenferrie Oval
Last Game: Round 18, 1972 against Carlton at MCG

Games: 153
Goals: 182
Career Statistics (external link)

Wins	Draws	Losses	Winning %
73	1	79	47.71

From: St Patrick's College, Sale

Number: 16 1962-1972

Honours:
Premiership Player - 1964
Best and Fairest - 1965, 1969
Leading Goalkicker - 1964, 1965
150 Heroes selection
Best First Year Player - 1962
Life Member - 1971

Despite playing six senior games in his first year, and winning the Best First Year Player award, he still finished runner-up in the Reserves Best and Fairest award.

From there the goalkicking rover won a premiership, a best and fairests and topped the goalkicking twice before a serious knee injury in a social game shortly after the 1965 season derailed his career, causing him to play just seven games in the next two seasons.

His start to 1966 was derailed by the knee injury and Townsend initially retired before returning to training a month into the season. He didn't line up until Round 9 and was his only match for the season. He broke down again in the 1967 pre-season, and after returning for a reserves game early in the year was injured again and didn't play seniors until midway through the year. He added just six more games to his total.

With his career on the line Townsend underwent an operation to graft ligament into his knee. The operation was a success and he played in the first game of 1968.

Townsend returned to form to win his second B&F in 1969 and played until 1972, after which he finished his career with Prahran in the VFA where he played in a premiership in his first season, coached them for two years and was named in their team of the century.