We have two needs that we have identified — one a rebounding defender, which is hopefully (Carlton’s) Chris Yarran, and the other is an inside midfielder,” Tigers football boss Dan Richardson said on Friday.
“Ideally we would have liked to have got an elite mid like (Adam) Treloar, but that’s not going to happen.
“We have always liked Jacob and have been tracking him for a couple of years and we feel he is a big-bodied, tough mid that we think can help us. He certainly fills a need.
“He’s obviously not a big name but we are more about needs than names. We’ve had some positive discussions.”
Townsend is out of contract and likely to cost the Tigers a third-round pick at next month’s draft.