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Between the ages of 14 and 17 Castagna improved that speed in running sessions with sprint coach Craig Mair, having previously built his stamina when he joined his dad for runs up the steep hills near the family home in Kangaroo Ground.

We would be closer to walking up it really, just lifting your legs up and getting there, Castagna said.

With Mair he increased his pace enough to run in a junior sprint at Stawell over Easter.

It was good fun ... he [Mair] was very helpful just for my footy in general, Castagna said.

I got to him at an age where you can change your speed, you can fix up your technique and gain cadence and from there I made my speed a strength of mine.

The strength he developed during that period is part of the reason Castagna will run on to the MCG this Easter - nine years after running at Stawell - to play his 100th game, the rookie selection now a three-time premiership player.

The way he plays symbolises, to some extent, the chaotic, manic style that has helped Richmond dominate the competition for four seasons now.

Jason Castagna in full flight.Credit:The Age

But along the way he has become a better player too, more respected across the competition for the damage he can do in offence and defence. And there is also a recognition that the way he plays has also helped create the unstoppable mess.

Last Sunday against Hawthorn he kicked a set snap shot on his non-preferred foot, replicating the deeds of another triple premiership player Luke Breust, a player renowned for his silky skills.

Now, when Castagna bursts out the front of the stoppage in the expectation of the ball heading his way he disrupts the opposition, suddenly making the game all arms and legs and bouncing footballs.

This suits the Tigers, who love it when their matches become akin to a pinball machine in multiball mode.

I do have a bit of a chaotic game style, Castagna said.

He [Damien Hardwick] sometimes doesnt know what is going to happen but he encourages me to keep doing what I do.

I crash in and cause a bit of chaos on offence and defence I guess. Dimma (Richmond coach Damien Hardwick) always makes a gag about when I get the ball he sometimes doesnt know what is going to happen but he encourages me to keep doing what I do.

He supports me to play to my strengths and it has held me in pretty good stead.

I mess up a kick here and there but if I stay in the contest I usually can make something out of it.

That he does, pressuring the opposition and chiming in for goals when required, having averaged two scores a match in his past 94 games, his inaccuracy in the 2019 grand final, when he kicked five behinds, ruling him out of Norm Smith contention.

All that has made Castagna a popular figure inside and outside the fence at Tigerland, one person who finds that being hungry and humble comes naturally.

Jason Castagna celebrates a grand final goal with Tiger teammates.Credit:Getty Images

I definitely have points where I pinch myself. It is pretty crazy to have had this much success so early but I am just so happy to be here and I am having so much fun, Castagna said.

You never know how long it can last so I am just enjoying it while it is here and make the most out of it while I can.

He laughs at the idea he might join his siblings working at Castagna Steelworks, the family business his grandfather Vic started when he emigrated to Australia in the 1960s, one of the businesss first contracts being to provide the steel that held the old seats in the MCG outer in their place.

Kamdyn McIntosh and Jason Castagna after the Tigers 2020 grand final triumph.Credit:Getty Images

His dad, mum and three brothers Nick, Aaron and Jarrod all work there while his sister Hannah is still at school.

His teammate Kamdyn McIntosh learned to weld at the steelworks and occasionally Castagna will drop in to the family business to find teammates just hanging out there pottering around on something.

Castagna likes to do that too, having his house renovated and using McIntoshs skills that make him more than just a handy footballer to build his shed.

Its pretty much his shed in my backyard, Castagna said.

Its the type of connection these Tigers have soldered since 2017, with Castagna admitting a few teammates couldnt resist using his well-travelled tattoo gun at the Tigers hub on the Gold Coast to get a permanent reminder of their year.

Ive done a few. If you look closely you might spot a few of the boys [with them], Castagna said.

David Astbury, Nick Vlastuin and Jack Ross are among his customers.

What can never be erased is the role Castagna has played in helping Richmond to three flags, one of 14 Tigers to play in the three, and the first rookie in AFL history to play in three inside 100 games, his shy, steely expression now as much a Castagna feature as his road-runner gait.

Hes hit 100 games. Hes got a few premierships. His legs tell a story. And hes a Richmond man. But when it comes to the family Christmas hes creating the same quiet mischief he always has.

Nothing much has changed for me outside of footy, Castagna said.

Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age covering AFL, horse racing and other sports.

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Quick on the draw: Castagna the chaotic Tiger with a tattoo gun - The Age