Career
Castles, a Tasmanian, spent two seasons with Portuguese Melbourne after arriving on the mainland. Although he still turned out in the VFA, Castles was enlisted in the Australian Army in 1941, as a sapper. He was discharged at the end of the year and transferred to VFL club South Melbourne.
Mostly used at half forward and as a rover, Castles was a consistent source of goals for South Melbourne, finishing runner up in their goal-kicking on four occasions.
His best effort in a season came in 1945 when he kicked 38 goals and was particularly strong in the finals series. In the premiership decider, where no less than six of Castles teammates were reported, he lined up on a half forward flank and kicked a club high three goals, in a losing side.
After appearing in all 17 games in 1946, Castles applied for a clearance to Burnie, but South Melbourne refused. Another season at South Melbourne meant he was able to bring up his 100th league game, in the final round of the year.
He was granted a clearance at the end of the season and returned to Tasmania, taking up the position of playing coach for Burnie in the North West Football Union.
He was in charge of Burnie from 1948 to 1950 and his on field performances were rewarded with selection in the Tasmanian team which competed at the 1950 Brisbane Carnival. In 1951 he switched to Wynyard, the club he had played for prior to joining Portuguese Melbourne. Back in Victoria, Castles was appointed coach of Wimmera Football League club Murtoa in 1953.
He left them after just one year and joined Jung for the 1954 Horsham & District Football League season.
