Norwood product and former window cleaner Kade Chandler settling into Melbourne life after moving from Penong
Kade Chandler worked as a window cleaner this year. Now he’s on an AFL list after being drafted by the Demons.
National
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Kade Chandler saw his future as clear as the windows he was cleaning – he wanted to play in the AFL.
The Norwood product graduated from Prince Alfred College last year and picked up a casual job with SA Window Cleaning this year while he focused on getting drafted.
Chandler had his dream realised when Melbourne selected him at pick 14 in last week’s rookie draft.
The 18-year-old small forward, originally from Penong, 70km west of Ceduna, left his hometown of 200 people and moved to Victoria last week.
“I wasn’t really expecting it, I was more hopeful than anything,” Chandler says.
“That’s when it really hit me – out there training with the blokes you look up to from a young age and all of a sudden you’re in the same change rooms as them.
“It is surreal and I’m still wrapping my head around it but just being a bit of a sponge at the moment, soaking it all up and listening to what they have to say.
“It all happened fairly quickly but I’m loving it, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Chandler did not follow the draft and had no idea he had been picked until a Melbourne official rang him on Friday evening.
Minutes later, Demons coach Simon Goodwin was on the phone to welcome him to the club.
A friendly face then helped Chandler settle in at the club last week – fellow ex-Redleg Harry Petty, who was drafted to Melbourne last year and grew up in the same region.
“I’ve known Harry since I was about 12 so that made the move that much easier,” Chandler says.
“He’s from Wudinna, about three hours from where I live, so I’ve known him for ages.”
Two other South Australians have also been drafted to the Demons this month – South Adelaide’s Tom Sparrow, who was also the year below him at PAC, and Central District’s Aaron Nietchske.
Chandler says he tries to emulate his game on Collingwood high-flyer Jamie Elliott and ferocious Essendon tackler Devon Smith.
“I’d have to say my jump, I feel like that’s a massive strength,” Chandler says.
“As a small guy it compensates for my size a little bit.
“And definitely being a bit of a pest on the field, just tackling and harassing as a small forward and hitting the scoreboard when I can.”
patrick.keam@news.com.au
Originally published as Norwood product and former window cleaner Kade Chandler settling into Melbourne life after moving from Penong
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