Career : 2013 -2014
Carlton Player No. 1146
Debut: Round 6, 2013 vs Melbourne, aged 21 years, 362 days
Games : 14
Goals : 1
Last Game : Round 20, 2013 vs Western Bulldogs, aged 22 years, 95 days
Guernsey No. 37
Height : 184 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 84 kg (13 stone, 3 lbs.)
DOB : 8th May, 1991
Jaryd Cachia originally came to Carlton as selection 15 in the 2010 Rookie Draft from St Kevin's College and the Northern Knights Under-18’s. His grandfather, Terry Benton, had represented North Melbourne in 77 games from 1963 to ’69, and Jaryd was considered one of the finest footballers of his age group - having played the first of his 21 TAC Cup matches for the Knights at the age of 16. A tough inside midfielder and a punishing tackler, he had previously co-captained the Vic Metro Under 16 squad with Tom Scully, the No.1 pick in the 2009 National Draft.
Cachia spent 2010-11 on Carlton's list wearing guernsey number 28, but despite some excellent games in the VFL with the Northern Bullants, his only appearances at senior level came in two NAB Cup pre-season games. In one of those matches, he memorably cleaned up Richmond's Ben Nason with a bone-crunching tackle. At the end of 2011, Jaryd was delisted by the Blues and lured to Norwood in the SANFL, where he had a sensational year that culminated in a 30-possession game for the Redlegs in their crushing Grand Final victory over West Adelaide.
Carlton had stayed in touch with Cachia’s progress in Adelaide, and wasted no time in inviting him back to Princes Park with the club’s first selection (number 9) in the 2012 Rookie Draft. The club’s decision was explained like this by Recruiting Manager Shane Rogers; “I reckon that sometimes kids come in at 18 as a rookie, which Jaryd was, and it takes them two years to get into the swing of things and unfortunately for most of them, they're out the door within two years. Jaryd has had 12 months away and got his confidence up. He finished in the top five in the Magarey Medal and fourth in Norwood's Best and Fairest, and we think he can have an impact as a big, strong-bodied midfielder. He's a ripping kid."
Meanwhile, Queensland recruit Tom Bell had claimed the number 28 guernsey, so Cachia pulled on number 37 and, after a big month at VFL level, was elevated from the Rookie List to make his Navy Blue debut in an easy win over Melbourne in Round 6. Selected as Carlton's substitute, Jaryd replaced Chris Yarran just after three-quarter time, and chalked up 8 possessions, 2 marks and 2 tackles as the Blues crushed the Demons by 61 points.
From then on, Cachia played the next 13 matches in succession - starting as Carlton’s substitute on another three occasions – to average (in round figures) 14 possessions, 3 marks and 5 tackles per game. Between rounds 7 and 20, he relished some big assignments in the midfield, and after kicking his first career goal in round 15 against Collingwood, was outstanding when the Blues hammered St Kilda on the following Saturday night at Docklands.
Although he missed out on a place in either of Carlton’s finals teams, Jaryd finished 2013 as Carlton’s Best First Year Player and at just 22, had every right to be confident about his future. However, despite Carlton’s miserable showing in 2014, he was overlooked for senior selection and spent the entire season with the Northern Blues.
A shoulder injury suffered against North Ballarat in round 14 didn’t help Jaryd’s cause, nor did the one week suspension he copped in his return game. He was consistent at VFL level throughout the year, but not damaging enough to extend his career. A few days after Carlton’s last game for 2014, Jaryd was one of four players who were informed by the club that their services were no longer required.
2015 - Cachia played with Richmond's VFL team
2016 - Cachia returned to SANFL team Norwood.
2017 to 2018 - Cachia played for Strathmore in the Essendon District FL.
2019 - Cachia transferred to Alberfeldie who were also in the Essendon District FL.
2020 - Cachia signed on to played with Golden Square in the Bendigo FL.
2021 - Cachia signed on with VAFA Team St Kevin's Old Boys