Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch has been pleasantly surprised by what lively young Tiger forward Jason Castagna has been able to produce on a consistent basis throughout the 2017 season.

Leppitsch was coaching Brisbane last year, when Castagna played five senior games in his debut season of AFL football with the Tigers, predominantly as a running defender.

This year, Castagna has had a new role up forward in Richmond’s line-up, and he’s excelled.

The 21-year-old has played all 16 games, applied plenty of pressure to opposition backs, and he’s hit the scoreboard, with a total of 19 goals.

“I didn’t know a lot about him, to be perfectly honest. He’s been a bit of a bolt out of the blue from the pre-season,” Leppitsch said on this week’s edition of ‘Coaches’ Corner’.

“His addition to the footy club has been exciting . . . It’s given us not only that forward work, but the tackling pressure, which he’s added as well.

“He’s been given plenty of opportunity this year and he’s done a terrific job, with all the other small forwards, of course.”

Castagna is averaging 11.4 disposals per match this season, 1.2 goals, 3.4 marks and 2.8 tackles.

“It’s a good even mix,” Leppitsch said.

“It’s hard to get over 11 possessions a game as a small forward . . .

“They’re very good numbers in all areas for a small forward.”

Leppitsch provided a summary of Castagna’s key on-field attributes.

“His speed’s obviously number one. Also, his ability to evade a tackle and take on the game . . . he’s got fantastic lateral movement,” Leppitsch said.

“His snapshot for goal is pretty good, too.

“He actually improved a lot (with his snapshots) in the pre-season. When I first got here, he was probably only okay in that area, but as the season’s gone on, he’s improved . . .

“And he’s probably our best small forward at finding those little pockets of space and getting shots on goal.”

One area of Castagna’s game that he knows he has to hone, is his accuracy with set shots for goal. Had he kicked a bit straighter this season, his goal tally would be closer to 30 than 20.

“He works very hard on it, and that’s something Richmond fans should know. He probably practises more than anybody at his set shot and his craft,” Leppitsch said.

“He’s been improving with his set shot. It’s not a horrible part of his game, but we would like some better percentages there . . .”

Overall, however, the Tigers are delighted with Castagna’s development at the game’s highest level.

“I’m really happy with Jase’s output this year, and I know Damien (Hardwick) is as well,” Leppitsch said.