Pahina has departed Myrtleford having playing a key role in their dominant reign of the competition between 2016 and 2018.

The 24-year-old was a centre back for the Savoys, but hopes to move into a midfield role with the Roar.

"I needed a change really. There's nothing wrong with Myrtleford, I still love the club, but I'm the kind of person that needed to do something else," Pahina said.

"Bill (Cobram coach Bill Puckett) heard I was looking to move somewhere and asked me what my movements were.

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"I've always rated Cobram when we played them, they've always been well-structured and played nice football, so I thought I wouldn't mind going over to see what training was like.

"I was very impressed and thought I better give it a crack."

Pahina had an interrupted 2019 campaign with an ankle injury, before breaking his foot in the quarter-final against Twin City.

He sat out the Savoys' thrilling extra time semi-final win against Cobram and managed 10 minutes in the cup final loss to Wangaratta.

"It would have been a four-week injury and I probably turned it into an eight-week injury," Pahina admitted.

"I've put in a really hard pre-season. I think I'm going to be the fittest I've ever been this year."

Ironically, Pahina will meet his former side in the first round at Savoy Park.

"I'm excited. Hopefully there will be a fair bit of banter on the field and we'll have a bit of a laugh," Pahina said.

"I moved to Wang for work, but obviously I can't go from Myrtleford to Wangaratta (laughs)."