EDFL 2019: Jaryd Cachia explains why he crossed to Aberfeldie

Star recruit Jaryd Cachia has detailed why he crossed to Clifton Park from Strathmore in one of the biggest transfers of the EDFL off-season.

Aberfeldie recruit Jaryd Cachia during his days at Strathmore. Picture: Jamie Morey

Aberfeldie’s insatiable appetite for success is not lost on marquee recruit Jaryd Cachia.

The hard-at-it midfielder, who has crossed to Clifton Park from Strathmore in one of the biggest transfers of the off-season, said the back-to-back premier’s relentless work ethic was evident immediately.

Cachia played 14 AFL games for Carlton in 2013 and has also had stints in the VFL and SANFL, underlining the enormous value he will add to the EDFL Premier Division powerhouse.

OFF-SEASON HQ: LATEST COACH, PLAYER MOVES IN LOCAL FOOTY

GALLERY: THE BEST LOCAL CRICKET PICS FROM FEBRUARY 2

‘LEGEND LABELS BRILLIANT TON ‘THE BEST INNINGS I’VE SEEN’

CRICKETERS REFLECT ON PLAYING DURING BLACK SATURDAY

The 27-year-old claimed the Mores’ best and fairest in 2017 and finished runner-up in the Reynolds Medal for the best and fairest player in the top flight in the same year.

Cachia will join his brother Conor at Aberfieldie, while his wife, Sophie, has also opted to play for Abers’ women’s team.

“What’s really impressed me about Aberfeldie is they’re still really hungry to go for that third premiership,” Cachia said.

“The training standards are really strong. They’re not just content with what they’ve done in the past, they’re still trying to achieve more.

“I’ve seen, obviously watching my brother play there, how professional Aberfeldie are both on and off the field.

“Even though it’s local footy, I still take my footy pretty seriously, so that was probably another motivator.

“Within the first couple of weeks of training, I knew it was a really good decision to come across. They’re just so professional.”

Decorated midfielder and co-coach Luke Blackwell hailed Cachia as a “contested beast” in November.

Aberfeldie star Luke Blackwell in action in last year’s grand final. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Cachia will add experience to what is a young midfield group comprising Zach Hislop, Caleb Hislop, Victor Carboni and the more experienced Josh Cubillo.

He described Aberfeldie’s defence, which is led by Ryan Allan, Josh Toy and Luke Davis, as the “best local football backline in Victoria”.

“Even though they’ve got quality individuals, they do play really well as a side,” Cachia said.

“They’re well-structured and if you step out of that structure … they sort of let you know and bring you back down to earth a fair bit.

“They play their own brand of footy and they know it works.”

Cachia could have confronted his new teammates in last year’s decider had Strathmore not coughed up a 44-point three-quarter-time lead against Keilor in the preliminary final.

But after committing to the next stage of his football journey, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We probably could’ve gone close to a premiership had we not been depleted by injuries at the wrong time of the year,” Cachia said.

“It was time to make the decision about staying on for another couple (of years), or do I join family at Aberfeldie.

“I’m sort of glad I made the decision now.”

Abers will start their campaign for a three-peat of flags against Strathmore in a blockbuster Round 1 clash on April 6.

MORE LOCAL SPORT NEWS

BBL CLUBS URGED TO GIVE BREAKTHROUGH ROO A SHOT

SEYMOUR CONTINUES RED-HOT FORM AS DONS REEL IN DEES

FORGOTTEN BALL BRINGS BIZARRE END TO TWENTY20 MATCH

CLUBS COME TOGETHER TO COMMEMORATE COMMUNITY SPIRIT

COBURG BLITZES PRESTON IN REMARKABLE HOUR OF BOWLING