Connor Menadue, Jaryd Cachia sign for Portarlington
Portarlington’s bid to end its near 70-game losing streak has received a boost with the arrival of two former AFL players. Here’s how they landed their signature.
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Portarlington’s two new big signings aren’t arriving at the Bellarine Football Netball League club for a pay cheque.
They’re here to help put an end to a losing streak that now sits at 68 games at the end of the 2023 season.
The Demons have unveiled ex-AFL pair Connor Menadue and Jaryd Cachia as their headline recruits for 2024 as they look to continue making improvements on the field.
Menadue arrives after two seasons with his junior club Altona in the Western Region Football League where he won a premiership in 2022.
Meanwhile, Cachia has only played a handful of games in recent years including one for Essendon District league powerhouse Aberfeldie this season.
Portarlington president Stephen Cogger said he couldn’t have spoken any higher of the pairs arrivals.
“It’s pretty exciting, they’re probably two of the biggest signings in our club’s history,” he said.
“What I love about both of these guys is they jumped at the opportunity to be involved with our journey. Some guys see our club as too much of a challenge, which you can understand, but Connor and Jarryd want to help make a difference.
“We were able to contact both through contacts in the community and once we heard they might be available, we jumped at the chance.”
Cogger said he expected both players to provide “valuable” on field leadership for a Portarlington side which has plenty of exciting youngsters making their way through to the senior ranks.
In 2022, the club’s under-18 side won the Division 3 premiership.
“Jaryd has a big, strong body and will be key for us in tight,” he said.
“Our guys will be able to learn a lot off his contest work. Connor is going to bring a lot of skill, he’s still young himself and has a lot of ambition.
“He tells me he likes playing in the big games which is a good thing for us because every game is a big one for Portarlington.”
Menadue’s move to the Demons will see him link up with former Altona teammates Kelly Pickard and Mitch Turnbull.
“We have a great working relationship with Altona, they’ve been fantastic to deal with throughout all of these moves,” Cogger said.
“We’re not aiming to go and raid other clubs, we don’t want to be standing on anyone’s toes.”
The former AFL pair won’t be the only new faces at Port next season either with an update sent to members and supporters confirming the signatures of two further players.
Former Altona fullback and key defender James Goetz is also joining the club alongside Brayden Poole who is a member of the Australian Defence Force Combined team.
“We are currently speaking and negotiating with a further 15 players who we would welcome to our club plus several of our junior players who left our club but now are considering return to Port,” the update said.
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Originally published as Connor Menadue, Jaryd Cachia sign for Portarlington
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