Former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has rated Jason Castagna as one of the greatest role players he ever coached.
Castagna retired prematurely at the age of 26 earlier this year, citing the fact that he had lost his love for the game and desire to give his all for his teammates.
However, Hardwick feels criticism on social media might have contributed to Castagna’s decision as he was often seen as a scapegoat for a Tigers loss.
But the three-time premiership forward played a pivotal role for Hardwick during the club’s golden era, so much so that his former mentor had nothing but praise for what Castagna contributed.
Hardwick had an admission of guilt and regret that perhaps he could have done more in a public space to tell the footy community how important Castagna was to the football club.
“Probably one of the hardest things for me was when Jason Castagna retired,” Hardwick told Dylan Buckley on the Dyl & Friends podcast.
“He was one of the greatest role players, if not the greatest role player that our football club has ever seen.
“I sort of felt like I didn’t protect him enough. I hope this isn’t the case, but I’ve got a funny feeling that social media brought about the downfall of ‘George’.
“It became too hard for him, his love of the game diminished because of the criticism that he would get from fans.
“I sort of felt a little bit of guilt towards that because I think, internally, we sort of gave him the due credit he deserved, but externally, I sort of felt a little bit guilty that maybe I didn’t stick up for him enough with regard to the role he played, and didn’t give him the due credits that he deserved for making us a great side.
“I sort of felt that it got the better of him, and that’s the hard thing about our game. People sort of sit there and look at SuperCoach points; kicks, marks, handballs, well Richmond’s not really about that.
“They’re about a system that gives them an opportunity to play, or a way to play the game that’ll give them wins, and by those players playing in those positions, will allow other players to flourish and succeed.”
Castagna finished his Richmond career with 134 games, 127 goals and a trio of premierships.