Sturt high flyer Shane McAdam wants to swap pies for the chance to play for Adelaide
STURT excitement machine Shane McAdam has revealed how he has transformed his body to become an AFL player and says his dream draft scenario is to join former coach Martin Mattner at Adelaide.
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STURT excitement machine Shane McAdam has revealed how he has transformed his body to become an AFL player and says his dream draft scenario is to join former coach Martin Mattner at Adelaide.
One of only two mature-age players invited to this week's AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne, McAdam says he was last year eating at least 10 beef pies a week — for breakfast, lunch and occasionally dinner — but is now on a stricter diet that has seen him shed 7kg and put him in the best shape of his career.
The 23-year-old medium forward, who enjoyed a stellar first SANFL season at the Double Blues this year after moving to Adelaide in 2017 and playing for Scotch Old Collegians in division two of the Adelaide Football League, has been linked to the Crows as part of a trade package with Carlton for wantaway tall forward Mitch McGovern.
The Blues and Gold Coast have first call on the skilful high-flyer — the nephew of 1989 Central District Magarey Medallist Gilbert McAdam and former Kangaroo Adrian McAdam — as part of draft concessions they were handed by the AFL last week.
Under the assistance package, Carlton has pre-draft access to two and the Suns three state league players who have previously nominated for the draft or been delisted.
They can then trade the players for picks of players.
Werribee key forward Josh Corbett, 22, is the other mature-age player invited to the combine.
He seems destined to be picked up by the Suns.
McAdam — born in Western Australia — says while he is happy to play anywhere to fulfil his dream of playing AFL, staying in Adelaide and linking up with mentor Mattner would be his perfect result.
Dual Sturt premiership coach Mattner last month joined the Crows as an assistant coach.
McAdam, who won’t undertake all the testing at the combine due to a minor calf strain, paid tribute to Mattner’s influence on him, saying he had helped turn his career around.
“Marty’s been one of the biggest influences on my career,’’ said McAdam, who kicked 31 goals in 17 games for the Double Blues this season.
“He knew I wasn’t fit when I arrived at Sturt but had some good skills and he believed in me and has just pushed me to try to get the best out of myself.
“He’s been tough on me but helped me to change my diet and train a lot harder to give me a chance of playing AFL.
“His message has been that hard work pays off and that’s something I have carried with me all year and has got me into a position where I am a chance to get drafted.
“It would be great to be able to stay in Adelaide because I’ve got family and friends here and to be at the same club as Marty would help me a lot, I’m sure.’’
McAdam, 185cm and now 80kg after arriving in Adelaide last year at 87kg, revealed just how bad his diet had been when he moved to SA “for a fresh start’’ from the small WA town of Halls Creek.
“I ate a lot of junk food before I got to Sturt,’’ said the former Claremont WAFL player.
“I just loved beef pies and used to have them for breakfast and lunch and maybe even dinner. I'm not sure how many I would eat in a week but it was probably about 10, maybe even more.
“I’ve stopped eating them now and have a much better diet, which has made a difference.’’
McAdam, who took several SANFL mark of the year contenders this year while also being a sharpshooter and frenetic forward line tackler, said he had also been inspired by Willie Rioli’s rise from being overlooked in his draft year to becoming a premiership player with West Coast this season.
Rioli moved to Adelaide from the Norther Territory four years ago to join SANFL club Glenelg and after losing 16kg in two years he was drafted by the Eagles and played a key role in their flag in just his second year at the club.
“He’s shown the way for a lot of mature-age players,’’ McAdam said.
andrew.capel@news.com.au