Motivation to play with brother strong for Kade

The Chalcraft name is already an established one at Swan Districts and now Kade will be joining older brother Jye at Steel Blue Oval in 2026 and there’s reason to be excited given the reputation he arrives with.

Jye has now played with Swan Districts the past two seasons and become standout in the midfield for the black-and-whites including finishing as runner-up in Swan Medal voting just behind fairest and best winner Jesse Turner in 2025.

The chance to now make the move west and play with his older brother once more was a driving motivating factor for Kade to join Swan Districts, but also from a personal point of view he feels it’s the best next step for his football career.

Kade already has won fairest and best awards playing in the NAB League with the Murray Bushrangers and Shepparton United in the Goulbourn Valley League along with starring in a Geelong Football Netball League premiership with St Mary’s.

He has also had a taste of state league football playing with Geelong’s VFL team. Now the combination of coming to play in the WAFL and doing it alongside his older brother was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“I’m honestly really excited. Moving west is a big change, but it feels like the right one,” Chalcraft said.

“And getting the chance to play footy alongside my brother again is something pretty special. The club’s been really welcoming already, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it.”

Along with the individual and team success Chalcraft has already enjoyed in his young career, the 22-year-old is looking to continue to grow other areas of his game with Swan Districts having already established himself as a prolific ball winner and contested ball maestro.

“I think a fresh environment will be really good for me,” he said.

“I’m looking to keep building my midfield game, bring energy and work rate, and take another step in my development. I’m excited to learn from the coaches, be part of a strong program, and contribute however I can”

Once Chalcraft had made the decision that he was willing to pack up and move to the other side of the country, then it only made sense that he came to Swan Districts to play alongside his brother who had already well and truly settled with the club over the past two seasons.

“Yeah, he definitely played a big part. If I was going to move interstate for footy, having family here made the decision a lot easier,” Chalcraft said.

“Also having one of my close mates Mitch Roche who is also at the club helped. But it wasn’t just about that — the opportunity at Swans and the direction the club’s heading in really appealed to me as well.”

Considering everything Jye has said about the football in the WAFL, the culture and environment at Swan Districts, and then beyond that what it’s like to live in Perth, and there’s no way Kade could pass up the chance to experience it himself too.

“He couldn’t speak highly enough of it,” Chalcraft said.

“He loves the club, the coaching group, and the boys, and he’s really settled in WA. Hearing that from someone you trust carries a lot of weight.

“It made me pretty confident that this would be a good move for both my footy and my life off the field.

“Another big factor in the move was a conversation I had with Andrew Pruyn mid-year, Pruey believing I had more to grow as a footballer and reaching my full potential.”

Then there is the added motivation to try and run out together as brothers in a Swan Districts jumper in 2026 that is driving Kade on throughout the pre-season to build on the taste they had of doing that together in the VFL with Geelong three years ago.

“Playing with Jye has always been something we’ve enjoyed. There’s a natural connection there, and we both get the best out of each other,” Chalcraft said.

“To be able to do that again at senior level is pretty special, and we’re both really looking forward to it. In a way you almost walk a little taller or have a bit more confidence out there with an older brother on the field.”

Chalcraft was able to make the move west late in 2025 to get settled in before starting work in the building industry last month and he’s keen to make sure he explores as much of what WA has to offer especially during the summer before the football really ramps up.

“I kept things pretty simple early on pre-Christmas — just getting settled, getting into routine, and focusing on a big pre-season,” Chalcraft said.

“I’m a carpenter by trade and am working with a commercial building company which started in the new year.

“Outside of footy I’m keen to explore WA a bit, get into the beaches and lifestyle over here, and just enjoy the change.”