EDFL 2018: Jaryd Cachia crosses from Strathmore to Aberfeldie
ABERFELDIE co-coach Luke Blackwell has hailed the powerhouse club’s latest signing as a “contested beast”.
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ABERFELDIE co-coach Luke Blackwell has hailed Jaryd Cachia as a “contested beast” after the gun midfielder linked up with the premier from Strathmore in one of the most significant moves of the Essendon District Football League off-season.
Cachia has spent the past two years with the Mores, claiming their best and fairest in 2017 and finishing runner-up in the Reynolds Medal for the best and fairest player in Premier Division in the same year.
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The 27-year-old played 14 games for Carlton in 2013 and has also had stints in the VFL and SANFL.
“It’s a great signing. He’s a bull, strong and an experienced player,” Blackwell said.
“It’s a great get by the club and the best thing is he’s coming for the right reasons. He’s coming to play with his brother Conor and is really excited to do that.
“It’s not for any other reason besides that. It’s always good to know off the bat that a big signing is coming for a good reason like that.”
Abers claimed its third flag in four years in 2018 after thrashing Keilor in the grand final.
While Blackwell’s future is uncertain, Cachia will provide a sizeable boost to the club’s young midfield.
“We do have a younger midfield when it comes down to the depth side of things, so he’ll really help that,” Blackwell said.
“He’s a really good age to play some solid footy and also pass on some experience to the young boys.
“He’s very hard to tackle. We’ve definitely found that out over the last couple of years.
“He’s really strong over the contest, draws opposition players to him to try and tackle him and then can get his arms free and dish off because he is so hard to tackle.
“That really helps the outside mids, like young (Victor) Carboni.”
Ruckman Courtney Johns, who retired after the grand final triumph, is the only confirmed departure from Aberfeldie.
Blackwell said the group was set to remain intact for another shot at glory as Abers chases a big man to fill the void left by Johns.
“I don’t think people realise how young our group is,” he said.
“We really found out a lot about our young players midway through (2018) because of a lot of injuries and blokes away and stuff like that.
“We really need to start blooding them a lot more and getting big games into them, so when it comes to the business end of the year, they can really have an impact.”
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