Richmond has re-signed two members of its 2017 premiership side – livewire small forward Jason Castagna and late-season forward revelation Jacob Townsend – along with tenacious, ‘ball-magnet’ midfielder Anthony Miles, who won the best and fairest with the Club’s VFL team this year.
The Tigers have contracted Castagna for two years, while Townsend and Miles have both agreed to new one-year deals.
Castagna, 21, played all 25 games with Richmond’s senior side in his second season of AFL football this year, receiving an AFL Rising Star nomination in Round 19 and finishing fourth on the Tigers’ goalkicking list with 26 goals.
He was ranked first among the competition’s Rising Stars for marks inside 50, tackles inside 50, score involvements and total bounces.
“We are really pleased with Jason’s on-going development and his work-rate, both on and off the track. His pressure around the ball is a highlight and his brand of footy was very much aligned to the team success this year,” said Richmond’s General Manager – Football Talent, Dan Richardson.
Townsend had to wait until Round 22 this year for a senior opportunity following the fine form he displayed through the midfield on a consistent basis at VFL level for the Tigers, which resulted in him winning the competition’s Liston Trophy.
To say he subsequently made the most of his chance at the game’s highest level, over the final few weeks of the season, is somewhat of an understatement.
The 24-year-old kicked six goals as a permanent forward in Richmond’s thumping Round 22 victory over Fremantle at Domain Stadium and went on to play a pivotal role in the team’s premiership triumph.
He finished with 16 goals all-up in five games (three of them finals wins, including the Grand Final against Adelaide), from just 32 kicks, and applied fierce pressure throughout to opposing defenders.
“Jacob played a significant role for the team in all our finals games, none more so than the Grand Final. He is a strong competitor and, having found his niche up forward, we expect he will continue to build on this in 2018 and beyond,” Richardson said.
Miles was restricted to just five senior appearances during the season because of the Tigers’ strong midfield depth, but he approached his football in the VFL with typical professionalism and determination.
He regularly racked up high statistical numbers and was a driving force behind the VFL team’s rise to runner-up status in 2017.
“Anthony is highly regarded by his teammates and the Club as a whole. His strong work ethic, contested ball-winning ability and commitment to the team are second to none. Despite limited opportunities in 2017, he is a proven AFL player, who will continue to make a significant contribution to the Club,” Richardson said.
