DESPITE never having even been to Perth, back-to-back Geelong Cats VFL fairest and best winner Jye Chalcraft feels playing in the WAFL can help take his football to another level and he is excited to do it at Swan Districts.

Chalcraft is the latest signing for Swan Districts ahead of the 2024 season with the prolific on-baller who has turned himself into a handy small forward, as well as joining the black-and-whites for at least the next two years.

After growing up in Shepparton, Chalcraft has spent the past three seasons playing for Geelong’s VFL team. That has seen him win the last two fairest and best awards largely as a prolific ball winning inside midfielder, but also developing into a goalkicker as well in 2023.

His 2023 season was superb for the Cats averaging 22 possessions a game while also kicking 16 goals. While he’s currently enjoying a stint playing in the Northern Territory for the first time, his focus will now be on being the latest Victorian recruit to thrive with Swan Districts.

The 22-year-old is another former teammate of ex-Geelong VFL captain Jackson McLachlan just as fellow new recruit Nik Rokahr is, and he can’t wait to move to Perth and get started in preparation for his first WAFL season in 2024.

It’s a remarkable thing that Chalcraft is about to come live in a state he’s never been to before, but everything he’s heard about Swan Districts, the WAFL and the lifestyle in WA meant it was too good a chance to turn down.

“It’s pretty crazy when you think about it that I’m moving to a place I’ve never been before, but I’m very excited and am just keen to get stuck into it,” Chalcraft said.

“I haven’t stopped working since our last game either and have been doing lots of running and gym work still just to get myself ahead for when pre-season starts. I’m looking forward to it.”