Young Aaron Cadman becomes a giant ahead of milestone
GWS youngster Aaron Cadman knows his apprenticeship is over and feels he's ready to explode in the back half of the AFL season.
The 2022 No.1 draft pick lived up to his billing after his career-best haul of five goals and 13 marks helped steer the Giants to a comeback win over Brisbane.
His breakout performance - which included a speccy mark against Lions swingman Eric Hipwood - added to reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan's haul of six goals and 12 marks.
The 21-year-old's slow burn to good form echoes the words of inaugural Giants coach Kevin Sheedy, who believes players only come of age at AFL level when they reach 50 games.
Set to chalk up the milestone against Gold Coast, Cadman agrees there is truth in Sheedy's declaration.
"I know that I can be, hopefully, one of the top players in the league," Cadman said on Tuesday.
"This is my third year, so I've still got a lot of growing to do as a player, physically and mentally.
"I know they're saying your apprenticeship is over at 50 games once you're past 50, but I feel like I've still got a lot of room to grow.
"Obviously, big thanks to the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity in 50 games.
"Even picking me 50 times where I probably wouldn't have picked myself, and just having faith in me and knowing what I am capable of."
Cadman has long been touted as the man to lead the GWS forward line for years to come, after the Giants traded up to secure the top selection in the 2022 draft.
The left-footer managed just six goals from a dozen appearances in his 2023 debut season, before hitting new heights last year with 30 goals across 23 games.
GWS's faith is clear, but Cadman admitted it took time for him to shake off the expectations that come with being a top draft selection.
"I feel like in my first two years, that was something that weighed on me a little bit," Cadman said.
"Now I know what I am capable of, and just continuing to show that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter where I was picked. "
Cadman credits Hogan as the man who has helped make him ready for what looms at AFL level.
A 17-year-old Hogan has faced similar expectations after being drafted to Melbourne with pick No.2 in the 2012 mini-draft.
"Me and Jesse can relate to each other a little bit," Cadman said.
"Even on and off the field, just sharing his mistakes and helping me learn from those things has been super helpful for me.
"It's a great relationship we have down there. It's almost like half the time, we don't even have to say anything."
GWS youngster Aaron Cadman knows his apprenticeship is over and feels he's ready to explode in the back half of the AFL season.
The 2022 No.1 draft pick lived up to his billing after his career-best haul of five goals and 13 marks helped steer the Giants to a comeback win over Brisbane.
His breakout performance - which included a speccy mark against Lions swingman Eric Hipwood - added to reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan's haul of six goals and 12 marks.
The 21-year-old's slow burn to good form echoes the words of inaugural Giants coach Kevin Sheedy, who believes players only come of age at AFL level when they reach 50 games.
Set to chalk up the milestone against Gold Coast, Cadman agrees there is truth in Sheedy's declaration.
"I know that I can be, hopefully, one of the top players in the league," Cadman said on Tuesday.
"This is my third year, so I've still got a lot of growing to do as a player, physically and mentally.
"I know they're saying your apprenticeship is over at 50 games once you're past 50, but I feel like I've still got a lot of room to grow.
"Obviously, big thanks to the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity in 50 games.
"Even picking me 50 times where I probably wouldn't have picked myself, and just having faith in me and knowing what I am capable of."
Cadman has long been touted as the man to lead the GWS forward line for years to come, after the Giants traded up to secure the top selection in the 2022 draft.
The left-footer managed just six goals from a dozen appearances in his 2023 debut season, before hitting new heights last year with 30 goals across 23 games.
GWS's faith is clear, but Cadman admitted it took time for him to shake off the expectations that come with being a top draft selection.
"I feel like in my first two years, that was something that weighed on me a little bit," Cadman said.
"Now I know what I am capable of, and just continuing to show that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter where I was picked. "
Cadman credits Hogan as the man who has helped make him ready for what looms at AFL level.
A 17-year-old Hogan has faced similar expectations after being drafted to Melbourne with pick No.2 in the 2012 mini-draft.
"Me and Jesse can relate to each other a little bit," Cadman said.
"Even on and off the field, just sharing his mistakes and helping me learn from those things has been super helpful for me.
"It's a great relationship we have down there. It's almost like half the time, we don't even have to say anything."
GWS youngster Aaron Cadman knows his apprenticeship is over and feels he's ready to explode in the back half of the AFL season.
The 2022 No.1 draft pick lived up to his billing after his career-best haul of five goals and 13 marks helped steer the Giants to a comeback win over Brisbane.
His breakout performance - which included a speccy mark against Lions swingman Eric Hipwood - added to reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan's haul of six goals and 12 marks.
The 21-year-old's slow burn to good form echoes the words of inaugural Giants coach Kevin Sheedy, who believes players only come of age at AFL level when they reach 50 games.
Set to chalk up the milestone against Gold Coast, Cadman agrees there is truth in Sheedy's declaration.
"I know that I can be, hopefully, one of the top players in the league," Cadman said on Tuesday.
"This is my third year, so I've still got a lot of growing to do as a player, physically and mentally.
"I know they're saying your apprenticeship is over at 50 games once you're past 50, but I feel like I've still got a lot of room to grow.
"Obviously, big thanks to the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity in 50 games.
"Even picking me 50 times where I probably wouldn't have picked myself, and just having faith in me and knowing what I am capable of."
Cadman has long been touted as the man to lead the GWS forward line for years to come, after the Giants traded up to secure the top selection in the 2022 draft.
The left-footer managed just six goals from a dozen appearances in his 2023 debut season, before hitting new heights last year with 30 goals across 23 games.
GWS's faith is clear, but Cadman admitted it took time for him to shake off the expectations that come with being a top draft selection.
"I feel like in my first two years, that was something that weighed on me a little bit," Cadman said.
"Now I know what I am capable of, and just continuing to show that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter where I was picked. "
Cadman credits Hogan as the man who has helped make him ready for what looms at AFL level.
A 17-year-old Hogan has faced similar expectations after being drafted to Melbourne with pick No.2 in the 2012 mini-draft.
"Me and Jesse can relate to each other a little bit," Cadman said.
"Even on and off the field, just sharing his mistakes and helping me learn from those things has been super helpful for me.
"It's a great relationship we have down there. It's almost like half the time, we don't even have to say anything."
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