Again he had got through a summer with few physical hassles, and he felt good heading into the home and away year, but that wasn't a new feeling for Astbury, which taught him not to get his hopes up.
"It's a tough one because I've thought that the last couple of years would be my year," Astbury told AFL.com.au.
This time, though, things seem to have turned the way of the emerging Richmond defender. He has played the first six games of the season and on Sunday negated Hawthorn star Jarryd Roughead, despite Richmond's 66-point defeat.
Since Alex Rance's foot injury, Astbury has been given the responsibility of holding down the opposition's premier key forward, and has shown a zest for the role.
He studied for the Roughead role in much the same way as he did with Carlton's Jarrad Waite in round two.
"I've done a fair bit of homework on [Roughead] and I knew I had to check him closely. I think at stages I did a good job and then at other stages he got off a little bit," he said.
"There was a few times I thought I was done and he had me beat, but luckily the ball didn't come. He's really good at turning you and getting in behind you, so that's something I'll definitely be reviewing this week."
Roughead, who won last year's Coleman Medal, kicked only one goal in his team's big win, which came after a free kick in the last term.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick praised Astbury for his development so far this year.
"The one thing he does, he beats his opponent. He's got to work a little bit harder on his offensive game to get that up and going, but we've been really pleased with his form throughout the year," Hardwick said after the Hawthorn loss.
Injuries have curtailed the 23-year-old's career to this point, having played only 12 games from 2011-2013.
Through the pre-season he spent lots of time matched against Richmond's trio of tall forward – Jack Riewoldt, Ty Vickery and Ben Griffiths – and feels that's where his improvement has come from.
"I managed to not break down in the pre-season and now I've started to get a run of games in the home and away season. Things are starting to look a lot more positive. I know there's 16 rounds before finals, and I'm definitely looking at the moment to try to play every game," Astbury said.
Richmond will need to lift its standards if it is to return to September action this year, after falling to its fourth loss in the opening six rounds.
Astbury said Hardwick had put the responsibility on every player chipping in to turn the club's fortunes, and that approach needed to start against Geelong next Sunday.
"'Dimma' [Hardwick] was pretty strong on the fact we've got ourselves in a hole now and we need to dig ourselves out. It's not going to be a couple of players to do it, it's about the whole club pulling the chain in the one direction," he said.
"Hopefully we can prove to the football world we are a genuinely good side and really match it with [Geelong]."
Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey
