EDFL 2019: Aberfeldie’s Luke Blackwell to play on at Premier Division club

Champion Aberfeldie midfielder Luke Blackwell has been wrestling with thoughts of retirement since grand final day. Now he has made a decision.

Luke Blackwell fires out a handball in last year’s EDFL grand final. Picture: Mark Dadswell/AAP

Champion midfielder Luke Blackwell has shelved retirement plans and committed to what is set to be his final season with Aberfeldie.

Uncertainty has surrounded Blackwell’s on-field future since Abers claimed their third EDFL Premier Division flag in four years in September.

While the 32-year-old was always going to continue as a co-coach alongside Adam Potter, he strongly considered calling time on his distinguished career.

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Blackwell said the prospect of more team success was “definitely the biggest drawcard”.

“I think I had two months off and I started missing it already, so I think I knew straight away that I had one more year in me,” Blackwell said.

“Pottsy (Potter) always stirs me up … and says, ‘you might miss out on another one.’

“In the back of my mind, in a selfish way, you think that you don’t want to miss out.”

Blackwell collected the Reg Rose Medal for best afield in the grand final for a second consecutive year as Aberfeldie crushed Keilor.

Luke Blackwell collects last year’s best on ground medal. Picture: Mark Dadswell/AAP

He also claimed the Reynolds Medal for the best and fairest player in the top flight in 2016 and won the Sandover Medal in 2011 during his stint with WAFL club Claremont.

Blackwell made 23 appearances for Carlton at AFL level and remains one of the EDFL’s elite talents.

Abers have also secured Jaryd Cachia from Strathmore, with Josh Cubillo, Zach Hislop, Caleb Hislop and Victor Carboni helping form a potent engine room.

“We’ve got a pretty good young group in there (midfield) and all the blokes really want to learn as well,” Blackwell said.

“If I’m fit and everything like that, I’ll be putting my hand up (to play) most weeks I would have thought.”

Blackwell said the powerhouse club had enjoyed a strong pre-season, with its under-19 crop joining senior training and testing the senior group.

“The younger blokes are usually the fittest, so it’s the older blokes trying to keep up with the younger guys,” he said.

Aberfeldie will be chasing a seventh consecutive grand final appearance as Blackwell prepares for a fifth season at Clifton Park.

Abers will tackle Strathmore in a blockbuster Round 1 clash on April 6.

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