Ex-Richmond coach Damien Hardwick reveals one of his biggest regrets from his time with the Tigers

Triple-premiership coach Damien Hardwick has admitted that he regrets not doing more for small forward Jason Castagna, who announced his shock retirement from the AFL at the age of 26.

Castagna played 134 games for the Tigers, including their three premiership wins, and cited a lack of desire to continue at the highest level for his decision to hang up the boots.

However, Hardwick believes that Castagna’s sudden decision to quit his seven-year career might have come as a result of being unfairly targeted through social media.

Hardwick says Castagna played a crucial role within the team, and he feels guilty that he’d didn’t do more to protect him.

‘Probably one of the hardest things for me was when Jason Castagna retired,’ said Hardwick on the Dyl & Friends podcast.

Damien Hardwick has admitted that he regrets not doing more for Jason Castagna

Jason Castagna played 134 games for the Tigers and shocked many with his early retirement

‘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.

Castagna arrived at the club via the rookie draft in 2014 and proved time and again to be one of the great value picks throughout his short career.

‘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,’ said Hardwick.

‘I sort of felt that it got the better of him, and that’s the hard thing about our game.

Hardwick says he believes abuse via social media had a lot to do with Castagna (pictured making a tackle on Heath Shaw) retiring early

Castagna arrived at the club via the rookie draft in 2014 and won three premierships alongside Hardwick and Dustin Martin (pictured together)

‘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.’

After calling time on his footy career, Castagna said that his time playing the sport was memorable and that he achieved a lot more than he ever expected having won three premierships for the Tigers.