Cristie’s resolve as strong as a Castle

By ZAC MILBANK

There’s not much Cristie Castle hasn’t been through to reach her 50th Hostplus SANFLW League game.

Since making her debut with North Adelaide in 2018, the 33-year-old has suffered an ACL injury on both of her knees as well as suffering a serious ankle ailment in 2021.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the Roosters spearhead revealed she was seriously contemplating retirement at the end of last season.

But through the encouragement of her teammates, Castle was determined to soldier on this year to reach her magical milestone.

Having played netball for the majority of her youth, Castle was intrigued to give footy a go at the age of 27.

After parking her car and watching her local club Angle Vale train in 2017, she eventually plucked up the courage to pull on the boots before landing at Prospect in 2018.

Now a line-marking manager, Castle confirmed that she will weigh up her future again at season’s end.

First, she will be looking to play her role inside 50m, just as she did in memorable fashion throughout the club’s undefeated 2020 premiership campaign.