Player Watch #11: Jason Castagna - signed to 2023

[Grrr]

And what do we as a club put above stats? Tackles, defensive pressure etc

Give us those stats

All the chasing and defensive pressure in the world means nothing if when you get it nothing happens. Bolton is a better tackler than George and does everything else. Dusty ain't much of a tackler because they are always trying to tackle him. George has one thing, as you say tackling and chasing, but he is not in the top 10 small forwards in the league for either, so his specialty is not that special.

Last season Aarts and George were there for most of the season. Finally Aarts was relegated to the VFL like Caddy because they realised he wasn't quite up to it. Neither fast enough although both far more skilled than George.

The only reason that George was promoted back to the VFL was because Hardwick was never going to let a 3x Premiership player wallow in the VFL without a chance to redeem himself. He was good to serviceable in those VFL games. Stack was far better in the two weeks leading up to George's promotion, polished and all class bringing others into the game.

I can understand why George was promoted, because Hardwick is loyal. It does players no favours to be playing VFL after 5 seasons in the AFL. But that is footy and it is at other deserving players expense. We had a look at Clarke with an eye on the future. Stack for some reason is on the outer. Cumberland must be getting very close however with the pointy end of the season coming the room for experimenting is become less real. Parker would give us more than Castagna, he is fast, tackles, attacks the ball and his kicking has been very good. He was probably our best player last week.

Class players win games, the old pressure indicator has been the greatest over exaggeration of why we have 3 Premierships up our sleeve. Does anyone seriously think that without Martin, Rance, Riewoldt, Edwards, Prestia etc.

 

[beema limapep]

Because he’s rarely beaten? No one ever says George gets towelled up.
Always first to footy. Always flat out. Always ferocious in the air

He's nearly always beaten (by himself). That's because defenders play very loose off him and let him choose the wrong option/butcher it.

And everyone knows it.

When the dirty ball comes inside 30 to 70 and he happens to take ground ball possession, only the most minor of opposition pressure acts is needed.

 

[Grrr]

Yeah im with ya but Judson was poor two weeks in a row. Cumberland doesn't play small or apply pressure and Stack seems on the outer and is flaky with effort.

No Cumberland just kicks goals and Stack sets them up. What is this mysterious small pressure role that no other side in the league feel necessary to play.

 

[tiger_tough]

No Cumberland just kicks goals and Stack sets them up. What is this mysterious small pressure role that no other side in the league feel necessary to play.

The one that won us 3 flags and keeps us #1 in the league at forward half turnovers which are key to our success.

 

[Grrr]

Because he’s rarely beaten? No one ever says George gets towelled up.
Always first to footy. Always flat out. Always ferocious in the air. Always team first . I ve used a bit of hyperbole here but he’s plays the Richmond way more than most.

And what does that whole package say and do for the Richmond culture ? What do the young blokes think when they see a bloke running around that they are twice as skilled as ? It’s the Richmond way or the highway but if I work hard I’m a chance here.

I came onto this earth when it felt like Premierships grew on trees . 37 years in shitsville taught me something a bit different and I’ll be buggered if a 3 time premiership player isn’t fit to wear the Richmond jumper .

We found a formula in 2017 that wasn't there in 2016, and yes George played a role in that, but it was our star studded side that won in 2017 with Martin, Cotchin, Edward and Rance at the helm all of a sudden allowed to play football the way it should be played with freedom.

Pressure was what we applied all over the ground that change our course, not just forward half. Cotchin, Nankervis, Vlastuin, Grimes were all elite pressure players. Rioli and Butler had the speed to close down space so were another factor in that pressure although they were limited players always. But the stars have gone or are waning. There is no luxury to be one dimensional any more.

George is a senior player right now not a one dimensional role player, players you can carry through when out of form like you do with young players, Gibcus for example. Caddy couldn't cut it due to his lack of pace, fact. George has done brilliantly for a low skilled player but he is low skilled, another fact. But we came 12th last year and are on the cusp of the 8 only this year, there is no carrying players for long periods who are not contributing in more than a one dimensional fashion, as you said, we spent 37 years doing that.

If he doesn't perform he will be out again and a young player will take his spot, once dropped it is much more difficult to get back in, Aarts, Caddy etc.

 

[Grrr]

The one that won us 3 flags and keeps us #1 in the league at forward half turnovers which are key to our success.

Forward half turnovers are a flow on from players up the field. Defences win Premierships and our back 6 were a great unit.

Cotchin, Martin, Rance, Prestia, Riewoldt, Edward, Vlastuin, Grimes, Lynch, Bolton, all stars won us premierships, ably supported by Nank, Broad, MacIntosh, Lambert and others. This fantasy that we were an unskilled pressure side is nonsense because Rance is the best backman I have seen at Richmond, Martin is the best mid I have seen (with Bartlett), Riewoldt probably just behind Richo and Hart as the best forward, and Cotchin the best captain I have seen at Richmond. We were a side of stars that for some reason the media have never recognised. We clicked as a team when it all came together, and forward half pressure an important just a part of that, certainly not the reason for it.

 

[tiger_tough]

Forward half turnovers are a flow on from players up the field. Defences win Premierships and our back 6 were a great unit.

Cotchin, Martin, Rance, Prestia, Riewoldt, Edward, Vlastuin, Grimes, Lynch, Bolton, all stars won us premierships, ably supported by Nank, Broad, MacIntosh, Lambert and others. This fantasy that we were an unskilled pressure side is nonsense because Rance is the best backman I have seen at Richmond, Martin is the best mid I have seen (with Bartlett), Riewoldt probably just behind Richo and Hart as the best forward, and Cotchin the best captain I have seen at Richmond. We were a side of stars that for some reason the media have never recognised. We clicked as a team when it all came together, and forward half pressure an important just a part of that, certainly not the reason for it.

Sometimes. But Rioli also directly caused 2 or 3 intercept marks inside 50 from pressuring the kicker. Castagna is the only other player capable of doing that. Our back 6 has leaked liked a siev at times this season.

 

[Delorean]

George has some serious brain fades but the hate here is ludicrous. He's clearly given a job to do and does it well.

There are upgrades waiting in the wings for sure, but to suggest he isn't fit to wear the jumper? Give me a spell.

 

[Grrr]

Sometimes. But Rioli also directly caused 2 or 3 intercept marks inside 50 from pressuring the kicker. Castagna is the only other player capable of doing that. Our back 6 has leaked liked a siev at times this season.

Our back 6 has leaked because our whole team has leaked. 12th last year and hopefully top 8 this year, we are not who we once were. I have acknowledged that our forward press was important, but in my eyes just one of many factors that made us great, and without the team all succeeding together, far less important than it was. Goals relieve pressure.

Different game for us now. Daniel has gone and goals from our small forwards, besides Bolton are nowhere to be seen if you compare to the rest of the league. Cameron 35, Fritsch 33, Stengle 31, Heeney 30, Bolton 28, Bailey 28, Ginnaven 26, Bruest 26, Greene 25, Rankin 22, Weightman 22, Higgins 21, Pickett 19, Richele 17, Rankin 22, Higgins 21, Martin 15, Cripps 15. These are all top 3 goal kickers in their clubs.

Shows how important Bolton is, George has kicked 11. There are precious few spots on the team where you can develop players, half forward being probably the best of them. I also think that Lambert as a walk up start is not the best way to go either. He should be going through the VFL to see if he can string games together, it is so important to develop young players.

 

[Boston tiger]

We found a formula in 2017 that wasn't there in 2016, and yes George played a role in that, but it was our star studded side that won in 2017 with Martin, Cotchin, Edward and Rance at the helm all of a sudden allowed to play football the way it should be played with freedom.

Pressure was what we applied all over the ground that change our course, not just forward half. Cotchin, Nankervis, Vlastuin, Grimes were all elite pressure players. Rioli and Butler had the speed to close down space so were another factor in that pressure although they were limited players always. But the stars have gone or are waning. There is no luxury to be one dimensional any more.

George is a senior player right now not a one dimensional role player, players you can carry through when out of form like you do with young players, Gibcus for example. Caddy couldn't cut it due to his lack of pace, fact. George has done brilliantly for a low skilled player but he is low skilled, another fact. But we came 12th last year and are on the cusp of the 8 only this year, there is no carrying players for long periods who are not contributing in more than a one dimensional fashion, as you said, we spent 37 years doing that.

If he doesn't perform he will be out again and a young player will take his spot, once dropped it is much more difficult to get back in, Aarts, Caddy etc.

I’m happy for him to be replaced. I’m waiting for Stack like everyone else but the only thing that will help Richmond buck the curve is to keep it Richmond. Once it becomes every man for himself in the forward line or the brilliance of individual players it just becomes about draft picks and we will just have to do our time and get the Cotchins , Jacks and Dustys when we head down the bottom .

Personally I think we need George against Melbourne mainly for Salem.

 

[Grrr]

I’m happy for him to be replaced. I’m waiting for Stack like everyone else but the only thing that will help Richmond buck the curve is to keep it Richmond. Once it becomes every man for himself in the forward line or the brilliance of individual players it just becomes about draft picks and we will just have to do our time and get the Cotchins , Jacks and Dustys when we head down the bottom .

Personally I think we need George against Melbourne mainly for Salem.

Well he won't be dropped although he doesn't really play as a defensive tagging type generally, think that will be left to MRJ. George gets most of his possessions high half forward to wing these days it seems. Heat map anyone?

 

[Livonski]

Well he won't be dropped although he doesn't really play as a defensive tagging type generally, think that will be left to MRJ. George gets most of his possessions high half forward to wing these days it seems. Heat map anyone?

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

When the heat is on his decision making and skills are akin to his tattoo skills

 

[beema limapep]

View attachment 1440059

Is that a his heat map of fresh-air handball attempts or guarding space pressure acts?

 

[Livonski]

Is that a his heat map of fresh-air handball attempts or guarding space pressure acts?

There’s the possession that started the whole thing.
Then he appears again blocking the exit and forcing WCE back and wide where MRJ pressures the kick.
Hard to spot with blinkers on.

 

[Muddiemoose]

Fair bit of gut running, helps force the eagles wide when kicking back out because he’s made it back to the goal square and Rioli finished the job

They worked well together and shows the importance of that pressure

 

[Livonski]

Fair bit of gut running, helps force the eagles wide when kicking back out because he’s made it back to the goal square and Rioli finished the job

They worked well together and shows the importance of that pressure

Snap. I edited my post while you were typing!

 

[Muddiemoose]

Snap. I edited my post while you were typing!

Great clip and highlights well the type of unrewarded work he does off the ball, I’m under no illusions about his ability and the fact that he will probably be taken over by more skilled younger players in the future but they simply don’t have the fitness, gameplan knowledge or experience to keep Georgie out of the side right now

 

[TheOptimum18]

No Cumberland just kicks goals and Stack sets them up. What is this mysterious small pressure role that no other side in the league feel necessary to play.

If you talk to Melbourne fans, they will say Spargo is an underrated player for them that plays the high half forward/small forward role for them that Castagna does for us. Statistically, Castagna has pretty much the same numbers as him, whether you talk about attack or defence.

Statistically, Kosiah Pickett is only slightly better than Castagna.

Tyson Stengle is currently touted to be the AA small forward. If we want to talk purely about the pressure forward, both are equal. From tackles and pressure acts, there might be a marginal difference.
However, Stengle quite clearly has the better goal scoring output.

So let's not pretend that other teams don't also play a player as the small pressure forward.

 

[Muddiemoose]

If you talk to Melbourne fans, they will say Spargo is an underrated player for them that plays the high half forward/small forward role for them that Castagna does for us. Statistically, Castagna has pretty much the same numbers as him, whether you talk about attack or defence.

Statistically, Kosiah Pickett is only slightly better than Castagna.

Tyson Stengle is currently touted to be the AA small forward. If we want to talk purely about the pressure forward, both are equal. From tackles and pressure acts, there might be a marginal difference.
However, Stengle quite clearly has the better goal scoring output.

So let's not pretend that other teams don't also play a player as the small pressure forward.

Cats also use myers and dahlhaus, neither of them the best player and see themselves out of the side but they always play at least on of them

 

[Vassp]

If you talk to Melbourne fans, they will say Spargo is an underrated player for them that plays the high half forward/small forward role for them that Castagna does for us. Statistically, Castagna has pretty much the same numbers as him, whether you talk about attack or defence.

Statistically, Kosiah Pickett is only slightly better than Castagna.

Tyson Stengle is currently touted to be the AA small forward. If we want to talk purely about the pressure forward, both are equal. From tackles and pressure acts, there might be a marginal difference.
However, Stengle quite clearly has the better goal scoring output.

So let's not pretend that other teams don't also play a player as the small pressure forward.

we have the George delusion support on this thread. He has no upside other than enthusiasm.

 

[TigerImposter]

We found a formula in 2017 that wasn't there in 2016, and yes George played a role in that, but it was our star studded side that won in 2017 with Martin, Cotchin, Edward and Rance at the helm all of a sudden allowed to play football the way it should be played with freedom.

Pressure was what we applied all over the ground that change our course, not just forward half. Cotchin, Nankervis, Vlastuin, Grimes were all elite pressure players. Rioli and Butler had the speed to close down space so were another factor in that pressure although they were limited players always. But the stars have gone or are waning. There is no luxury to be one dimensional any more.

George is a senior player right now not a one dimensional role player, players you can carry through when out of form like you do with young players, Gibcus for example. Caddy couldn't cut it due to his lack of pace, fact. George has done brilliantly for a low skilled player but he is low skilled, another fact. But we came 12th last year and are on the cusp of the 8 only this year, there is no carrying players for long periods who are not contributing in more than a one dimensional fashion, as you said, we spent 37 years doing that.

If he doesn't perform he will be out again and a young player will take his spot, once dropped it is much more difficult to get back in, Aarts, Caddy etc.

Your first sentence i disagree with as every premiership side has a list of 5-6 star studded players. It's your bottom six that have to step up to win the flag. The reason why we're losing so many close games this year bc our bottom six have been poor. Castagna , Aarts Edwards and Soldo have been the main culprits.

 

[beema limapep]

There’s the possession that started the whole thing.
Then he appears again blocking the exit and forcing WCE back and wide where MRJ pressures the kick.
Hard to spot with blinkers on.

Clarke did a very similar thing in his first game Blinkonski

 

[Growapair]

Because he’s rarely beaten? No one ever says George gets towelled up.
Always first to footy. Always flat out. Always ferocious in the air. Always team first . I ve used a bit of hyperbole here but he’s plays the Richmond way more than most.

And what does that whole package say and do for the Richmond culture ? What do the young blokes think when they see a bloke running around that they are twice as skilled as ? It’s the Richmond way or the highway but if I work hard I’m a chance here.

I came onto this earth when it felt like Premierships grew on trees . 37 years in shitsville taught me something a bit different and I’ll be buggered if a 3 time premiership player isn’t fit to wear the Richmond jumper .

Check out my new KAOS badge

 

[Growapair]

Forward half turnovers are a flow on from players up the field. Defences win Premierships and our back 6 were a great unit.

Cotchin, Martin, Rance, Prestia, Riewoldt, Edward, Vlastuin, Grimes, Lynch, Bolton, all stars won us premierships, ably supported by Nank, Broad, MacIntosh, Lambert and others. This fantasy that we were an unskilled pressure side is nonsense because Rance is the best backman I have seen at Richmond, Martin is the best mid I have seen (with Bartlett), Riewoldt probably just behind Richo and Hart as the best forward, and Cotchin the best captain I have seen at Richmond. We were a side of stars that for some reason the media have never recognised. We clicked as a team when it all came together, and forward half pressure an important just a part of that, certainly not the reason for it.

And Castagna is the KAOS KING!