Trent Castles cleared to play for Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes

Castles was cleared to play late Thursday after his case went to the National Permit Committee.

Corowa-Rutherglen had rejected his clearance application three times.

"I'm a bit over it actually with what happened last year as well," a relieved Castles offered.

"This year was a bit different, I wasn't contracted."

Castles said a former club in Yackandandah had received a payment from Corowa-Rutherglen to release him from the second year of his contract.

"They chased me, I said no three or four times and then I started to get to know (2020) coach Marc Almond and he knew my situation," Castles explained.

"I made a good relationship with 'Almo' so I thought, 'you know what, I'll give him a go' and we're still mates now."

The classy forward was contracted to play for Corowa-Rutherglen in 2020, but COVID wiped out the season.

He played a handful of games with Mangoplah in the inaugural AFL Riverina Championship and has elected to stay with the Goannas.

"Just seeing how far the team improved in those four games I did play and obviously they've recruited well, Jeremy (Rowe) is a great coach, he's a little like 'Almo' in that he's very understanding, but hard when he needs to be," he revealed.

"I can see this group doing well not just this year, but for three or four in a row."

The 32-year-old will play in Saturday night's away game to AFL Riverina premiers Wagga Tigers, who toppled Leeton Whitton to claim what will be the only AFL Riverina Championship grand final.

Meanwhile, Castles says he has no bad blood towards Corowa-Rutherglen.

"I think they're only doing what any footy club would do, I can't really hold that against them, although at the end of the day I've been the one copping it (criticism over the situation)," he said.

The Roos are also happy the long-running saga is finally over.

"The three parties came together and found an amicable solution," Roos' head of football Craig Spencer said.

The left-footed Castles has been one of the more prodigious goalkickers in the Hume and Tallangatta Football Leagues over the past decade.

He's posted a number of century seasons and threatens to be a dominant force in the RFL, where the Tigers are again one of the favourites.

Castles was the second player to head to the Permit Committee over the past week.

ALSO IN SPORT:

Damian Cupido, who had also joined the Roos for 2020, was cleared to play for Hume League outfit Brock-Burrum after receiving a $3000 sign-on fee.

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