Lively Richmond forward Jason Castagna seized the opportunity presented to him at Tigerland this week.

Promoted from the rookie list to the primary list on the eve of the season, and then selected in Richmond’s senior side for the opening round clash with Carlton, Castagna produced an impressive performance.

He had 20 disposals, including 10 contested possessions, 10 score involvements and five inside-50s, took three marks (all inside forward-50), applied four tackles, kicked two goals (2.4), and formed a potent partnership in the Tigers’ attack with fellow exciting, young, small forwards Daniel Rioli and Dan Butler (six goals all-up between the three of them).

“The pressure up forward, with those two boys running and tackling, helps me out to do the same,” Castagna told ‘ABC Grandstand’ post-match.

“We trained with each other all pre-season . . . I think we know each other’s strengths pretty well.

“We’re just playing our role. We’ve got great tall forwards like (Jack) Riewoldt and ‘Griffo’ (Ben Griffiths), and we just try and get to their feet . . .

“We can count on them to bring it to the front of the pack all the time, and lucky enough, we got on the end of a few (against Carlton).”

Castagna, who played five games in his debut season of league football with Richmond last year, outlined his 2017 aspirations . . .

“Firstly, I just wanted to play Round 1, and I’ll take it week by week. Hopefully I can play out the season and keep kicking some goals . . . I was pretty flat with a few of the shots on goal (on Thursday night), but, hopefully, if I can just keep getting those shots, the goals will come,” he said.