In a special series leading into next week’s AFL national and rookie drafts, Richmond Media is looking at those members of the Tigers’ 2020 premiership team who have proven to be brilliant, bargain-basement buys for the Club. Our specific focus is on the start of their Tigerland journey. Today it’s triple premiership small forward Jason Castagna.
What the Richmond recruiters said about Castagna after he was drafted
“Richmond has selected Northern Knights utility Jason Castagna with its second pick (selection 29) in the 2014 Rookie Draft.
A small defender, Castagna represented Vic Metro at the under-18 Championships, where he won the coaches award.
He played nine games for the Knights in the TAC Cup, averaging 17 disposals and three tackles per match.
He also attended the National Combine, where he tested equal fifth for the beep test.
Jason is a dashing defender who has a great combination of speed and endurance.
He takes the game on with run and carry, and is hard to tackle with his excellent lateral movement.
He also competes well, and can play as a lockdown defender on the dangerous small forwards.”
Vic Metro coach at the time, David Flood, on Castagna
“He just kept improving through the whole carnival. Each game he just got two percent better.
He plays with enormous energy and I think he’s got great potential to continue to improve.”
Richmond Media article on Castagna’s AFL debut in 2016
“Jason Castagna’s late call-up to make his senior league debut with Richmond against Port Adelaide, under the MCG lights last Saturday, provided some brightness on what, overall, was a bleak night for the Tigers.
Castagna, initially named as an emergency, was brought into the side as a replacement for another talented Tiger cub, Kamdyn McIntosh, who withdrew because of a badly corked leg.
After receiving his No. 46 Yellow and Black guernsey from former Richmond star Matthew Rogers, it was down to business for the 19-year-old dashing defender.
Castagna’s statistical numbers for the match were relatively modest – 11 disposals, including six contested possessions and three inside-50s – but it was the way he went about it that was most impressive.
He showed some really promising signs, with the strong work ethic, energetic run-and-carry out of the backline, and relentless attack on the football, that have been the cornerstones of his game at VFL level.
Although the Tigers were well beaten by 35 points, Castagna could hold his head high as he left the playing field, having given it his all in his debut performance at the game’s highest level, and not looked out of place.”
Castagna made an extremely successful transition at Tigerland from small backman to small forward, using his elite pace to apply plenty of pressure to opposing defenders and showing a capacity to hit the scoreboard.
Jason Castagna fact file
Draft history: Richmond’s second pick (No. 29 overall) in the 2015 AFL rookie draft.
AFL debut: Round 6, 2016 v Port Adelaide, MCG.
Total games: 97
Goals: 98
Playing honours: Triple premiership player 2017, 2019, 2020, Club life member 2017, AFL Rising Star nominee 2017.
