Jaryd Cachia may make his senior debut for Carlton against Melbourne on Sunday, having this week been elevated from the club’s rookie list.
Cachia has been named in a 25-man squad for the 6th round match, together with Jarrad Waite, who has not played a senior game in 2013 having strained a calf in the pre-season period, and David Ellard, who has recovered from a hamstring complaint, with Tom Bell earning promotion.
Out at this stage is Bryce Gibbs, who suffered hamstring tightness in last Sunday’s match against Adelaide, with the 22 to be finalized tomorrow afternoon.
Cachia earned his elevation over fellow rookies Andrew Collins and Frazer Dale, after Nicholas Graham was placed on the long-term injury list.
Cachia’s is a story of persistence. Secured by the Blues with overall selection nine in the 2012 Rookie draft last December, he set foot back into Visy Park two years after he was taken in the corresponding draft of 2010 with the selection 15 overall.
In between, personal and collective successes came his way in South Australia, as an integral member of Norwood’s all-conquering premiership team of 2012 and a top five placegetter in both his club’s and competition’s best and fairest count.
“I don’t know how to explain it - to return to the club which gave me a chance in the first place to have a crack at AFL level,” Cachia said from Adelaide at the time of his re-drafting. “All I can say is that I’m coming back to a new club with a new coach, a new captain and a new me.
“I’m excited by the fact that another opportunity presents itself, that I’m getting a second chance and that Mick Malthouse is the new coach. I can’t wait to get back, I’ll be on the flight tonight and I’ll start training tomorrow.”
Cachia, who turns 22 next Wednesday, also revealed at that time that he was far better equipped the second time around.
“I had to go away and work on a few things in my game, which I think I managed to fix in my season in the SANFL,” he said. “I had to work on getting more outside-ball and generally work on my outside game, which I believe I was able to improve.
“I really enjoyed my footy this year, because I regained my confidence as I developed over the journey, and I think it was reflected in how I played on the field.
“There’s still more improvement to come with my outside running, but I do believe I can become more versatile and am happy to play any role I can.”
Originally schooled at St Kevin’s College, Cachia plied his craft with the Northern Knights and in his callow youth co-captained the Victorian Metropolitan Under 16s team with Tom Scully.
Though his initial stint at Visy Park spanned two seasons, Cachia’s experiences were confined to the VFL by way of the then Northern Bullants.
Carlton’s National Recruiting Manager Shane Rogers said Cachia had been on the club’s radar through the course of the 2012 season.
“Norwood played on a Friday night, which meant that whenever we went to Adelaide we had the opportunity to see more games over the course of the weekend,” Rogers said.
“We saw “Cache” a lot of a Friday night and we saw an improvement in a lot of areas of his game, which means he’s worked hard at it.
“Football clubs can be pretty intimidating places for an 18 year-old, which is what he was when he first came in. He was delisted when he was only 20, but hopefully he comes back with renewed confidence and he should be right to go.”
Carlton vs Melbourne
Sunday, May 5 at 3:15pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Backs: C.Yarran M.Jamison L.Henderson
Half Backs: Z.Tuohy D.Armfield S.White
Centreline: K.Lucas M.Robinson K.Simpson
Half Forwards: C.Judd A.Walker J.Garlett
Forwards: E.Curnow S.Hampson J.Waite
Foll: R.Warnock M.Murphy B.McLean
Interchange (from) H.Scotland, T.Bell, A.Carrazzo, E.Betts, S.Rowe, D.Ellard & J.Cachia
