‘He was roasting us’: Aaron Cadman’s clutch coming-of-age moment in Giants win
The future arrived for the Giants on Saturday as the 2022 No.1 pick Aaron Cadman and cult hero Darcy Jones steered their side to a massive comeback win to knock off the flag-favourite Lions.
GWS
Don't miss out on the headlines from GWS. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GWS Giants young gun Aaron Cadman stood up when his side needed him the most on Saturday as he booted three final quarter goals to help steer his side to a spirited 18-point comeback victory over the Lions.
The former No.1 pick kicked 3.2 from his 11 disposals to go along with five marks and four tackles, as the Giants leapfrogged the Lions and jumped into third spot on the ladder.
Cadman said coach Adam Kingsley gave the players a huge spray at quarter time following 30 minutes of Brisbane dominance.
The Giants had dug themselves “quite a hole” to trail by five goals at the first break and Cadman said they were challenged to lift in all facets of the game.
“We were just getting absolutely pantsed in the contest … he was roasting us for our contest and the mids did really well to step up,” Cadman told this masthead.
“It came down to if you want (to do it), if you want to get the ball, if you want to win the ball … that’s a massive ‘work on’ for us and has been for the last couple of weeks.”
After missing two shots at goal in the first half, Cadman ignored the goalkicking demons in the back of his mind to kick the ball truly and deliver at the most crucial of moments.
“For me it was just waiting for my moment really and making sure that when my moment came, I would take it … I was focused on doing whatever I could to try and make an impact,” he said.
“Our forward line is pretty dangerous and at any given week anyone can step up, I was just lucky that it was my turn this week and Darcy Jones.”
The pair were instrumental late and combined for five of the team’s six majors in the last term. Jones said Cadman plays a “tough role” for the side so it was pleasing to see him convert on some important chances.
“It’s so good to see him actually get on the end of a couple because there is a lot of expectation on him and that will do him a lot of good,” he said.
“I am very happy for him … he does a lot of unrewarded efforts.”
The helmeted cult figure said Cadman had been taking leaps and bounds with his development.
“I don’t think I remember a key forward like that coming in and just dominating straight away, it takes time,” he said.
“He is tracking really well, he works his arse off and it is so good to see the way he is going … I’m sure he is going to keep going on that path.”
Cadman has now kicked 23 goals this season with the 20-year-old starting to feel comfortable at the top level.
“Every game is a step forward for me … I feel like I’m becoming a lot more reliable around the contest and for my teammates,” he said.
“I’m just getting as many games as I can under my belt … I’m a bit impatient, I want to be the best player I can be straight away, but I know it takes time and I’ve just got to keep building on and off the track.”
Cadman also spoke about carrying the weight of being the No.1 pick and how he has managed to use it as a tool to “work even harder”.
“There’s obviously a little bit (of pressure) that comes with a high pick, but I think it’s driven me and motivated me to become better,” he said.
“I’m really grateful for being such a high pick … I think in the coming years we will see I’m capable of being that number one pick.”
There is no better way to develop your forward craft than by learning from the best and Cadman has been able to do just that, sharing the forward line with Jesse Hogan who currently leads the Coleman medal race with 61 goals.
“Jesse has been massive for me, just bouncing off him with everything I do really,” he said.
“He’s really helped me grow as a player and a person on and off the field … we’ve had similar experiences so I can relate to him a lot.”
The orange tsunami continues to claim more victims and Cadman hoped it could continue its surge across the final two rounds against Fremantle and Western Bulldogs.
“The next couple games, they’re going to be crucial for us and could set us up perfectly,” he said.
“The belief has always been there … earlier in the season we got a bit complacent, we thought it was just going to come like it did last year.
“It has been a big flick of the switch the last couple of weeks and we’ve shown that we really are contenders.”
Cadman said his team was confident that their game stacks up against any side in the competition.
“(It’s about) playing our brand of footy, that’s what we’re starting to do every week, making teams play on our terms,” he said.
“There’s going to be momentum shifts in games but we think our game against anyone stacks up.”
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘He was roasting us’: Aaron Cadman’s clutch coming-of-age moment in Giants win
‘Positions up for grabs’: Leake keen for Giant start as Devils loom
GWS are looking towards the next generation and Tasmanian James Leake is eager to break into the side. Plus the young Giant touches on his future — with the Devils entering the AFL in 2028.
Coniglio on track for return as young Giants steal the show
Stephen Coniglio faced one of the “most difficult periods” of his career after injuring his shoulder last year, but is on track for round 1. Plus, see the latest from the GWS match simulation.