THE FUTURE of out-of-contract Richmond premiership hero Jacob Townsend remains uncertain but both club and player are comfortable with how the situation is placed.

AFL.com.au understands the Tigers will keep Townsend if he wants to stay but have encouraged him to explore his options, especially if he can secure a longer term and the likelihood of more game time elsewhere.

If Townsend opts to remain at Richmond, he could potentially be re-drafted as a rookie.

The Tigers would facilitate the 25-year-old moving to the club of his choice if he wanted to leave by cutting him from the list, thus giving him the power to go anywhere as a delisted free agent.

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That would make Townsend a three-club player after he started his career at Greater Western Sydney, before being traded to Richmond at the end of 2015.

Townsend was a key player when the Tigers won the 2017 flag, brought into the side in round 22 that year and booting 11 goals in the final fortnight of the home and away season.

His scoreboard impact and fierce tackling pressure were important. However, Townsend lost his spot in the senior side after round nine this year and eventually returned for two games before requiring surgery for a fractured left fibula in August.

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The hard nut is recovering from that injury and is ahead of schedule but will likely be out of full training until after the Christmas break.

Tom Lynch's addition as a restricted free agent means there will be more competition in attack.

Townsend has played 47 matches across his seven-season career.