Carlton has added Richmond premiership player Jacob Townsend as a development coach in 2026.
Townsend joins the Blues after a lengthy playing career, which spanned over four clubs. He began at GWS before a switch to the Tigers amid their dynasty, securing the 2017 flag. Townsend also won the VFL premiership in the yellow and black in 2019 before he departed for Essendon and then Gold Coast.
Following his playing days, he immediately jumped into the coaching realm, joining VFL club Southport Sharks as a development coach in 2022 before moving to the Box Hil Hawks in the same role.
"I'm really excited to be joining the Carlton Football Club and to take on a role as part of the new coaching group," Townsend said.
"Throughout my career, I was fortunate to learn from some outstanding coaches and teammates, and now I'm looking forward to passing on some of those lessons to the next generation of players.
"My goal is to help our emerging players develop the skills, habits and confidence that will translate to consistent, high-level performance, and to drive them to get the best out of themselves.
"There's a great energy around Carlton with a strong desire to improve, and I can't wait to get started."
Freshly minted GM of Football Chris Davies was stoked to announce the "exciting addition" to the Ikon Park, saying Townsend's experience will bode well for the next generation of players at Carlton.
"We are pleased to appoint Jacob as a development coach: another exciting addition to our new look development coaching group for next year," Davies said.
"Jacob brings with him an abundance of knowledge and expertise. As a premiership player, he has a genuine understanding of what it takes to perform at the highest level, which is invaluable to our emerging players.
"He has lived experience of building success through discipline, focus and teamwork. His transition to coaching across two very successful VFL clubs brings its own benefits, helping to accelerate our own pathway programs, getting our players ready to take the next step.
"As a Club, we feel we've recruited a really strong mix of coaches who complement each other's strengths and bring a clear, shared focus to what we're trying to achieve."
Townsend's appointment becomes the fifth new addition to the Blues' coaching group for 2026, after Damian Truslove (VFL senior coach), Ash Close (development), Josh Fraser (forwards coach) and Leigh Adams (midfield coach) also joined the Blues.
