Three-time Richmond premiership forward Jason Castagna announced his retirement from football at the end of February, 2023.
The Northern Knights/Marcellin College product was selected with pick No. 29 overall at the 2014 AFL Rookie Draft, going on to play 134 senior matches and booting 127 goals.
Castagna was a key part of Richmond's recent era of success, featuring in 92 of a possible 95 matches (the equal most of any Richmond player) and averaging over a goal per game between 2017 and 2020.
After being tried out initially in his draft position as a dashing defender, Castagna made his mark in his third season in the AFL as a frenetic forward, helping to transform the way Damien Hardwick's side played in the drought-breaking 2017 premiership campaign.
Castagna became renowned internally and across the competition as an excellent runner and pressure player who could also hit the scoreboard through his elite evasiveness and ability to kick on both sides of his body.
He and champion teammate Dustin Martin were the only Tigers to boot 25 goals or more in each of the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons; such was his consistency throughout that period.
Castagna had a career-best season in 2019, finishing in the top 10 of the Jack Dyer Medal. He also had a standout Grand Final performance, gathering 20 disposals and being a constant goal threat with five behinds and six marks.
Honours: NAB AFL Rising Star nominee 2017; premiership sides 2017, 2019, 2020
Brownlow Medal: Career votes 2
Draft history: 2015 Rookie Draft selection (Richmond) No. 29; 2017 NAB AFL Draft rookie elevation (Richmond)
