Castle earns umpire spot in Team of the Century

As part of the Riverina AFL Team of the Century celebrations, selectors have decided to name an umpire alongside the decorated team of footballers.

Castle said it was a huge honour.

“I’m absolutely thrilled about it,” Castle said.

“It’s a great honour and I’m very much looking forward to the evening.”

Castle grew up in Wagga with a great passion for the game of Australian rules and played junior football for East Wagga-Kooringal.

He helped out when required to umpire a junior game one day and that was the start of a prolific umpiring career.

Castle umpired with the Riverina Umpires Association from 1973 to 1981, then had stints in the ACT, Albury and VFL reserves before making the top grade.

Castle umpired 71 VFL games from 1984 to 1989, including the 1986 night grand final between Hawthorn and Carlton, and the state of origin clash between Western Australia and Victoria the same year.

He also represented NSW in the 1988 Bicentennial carnival in Adelaide.

The gala function gets underway from 6.30pm Friday night and will see some of the legends of the game return home to the region.