AFL Draft: Who is GWV Rebel and rising star Aaron Cadman?

You’ve probably heard of Aaron Cadman. But who is the country kid tipped for a big future? Meet him here.

Aaron Cadman is Australia’s most talked about junior footballer.

The apprentice electrician’s name has been mentioned more times during AFL trade week than some of the game’s stars.

He’s now tipped to be the first pick in next month’s draft after the GWS Giants traded up to the top selection.

For all the fanfare, he’s just a country kid at heart.

He works for his dad and loves nothing more than when a footy is in the palm of his hands.

Aaron Cadman in action for the NAB AFL Academy. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Despite all the accolades which have come his way — All-Australian selection and the NAB League’s leading goalkicker — it’s made no difference to the person he is.

“I’ve always known how impressive of a young man he is, I’m not as surprised as everyone seems to be,” GWV Rebels coach David Loader said.

“He’s a wonderful leader. There’s no doubt about it, he’s a very impressive young man.

“He has natural leadership skills and is prepared also to drive himself — incredibly strong on asking for feedback and getting better.”

Cadman loves a celebration. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Whichever club calls Cadman’s name on draft night is getting a leader — a trait that can’t be taught.

“He had a real chance to shine, we had quite strong leaders at the start of the year but they got injured,” Loader recalled.

“Aaron stood up (in their absence) and led the group from the front.

“The more responsibility he gets, the more he shines.”

Recruiters have compared Cadman to Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron and Carlton’s Charlie Curnow.

Loader has seen the premiership Cat close up.

“They (Cadman and Cameron) are remarkably similar with their on field attributes and off field they are down to earth, very relaxed,” he said.

“Both are great country kids.

“Aaron had a coffee with Jez, Jez gave him some of his time and relayed different ideas.”

St Patrick’s College loss was his father’s gain

St Patrick’s College has been left to think ‘what if’ after Cadman’s departure.

Director of football Howard Clark believes Herald Sun Shield success could have been possible if Cadman didn’t depart.

St Pats lost to Whitefriars in the grand final.

Despite never playing for the First XVIII, Clark believes Cadman would have made a major impact.

“I’m convinced he would have played a senior game (early on), Sam Lalor (a year 10 student) did it this year,” he said.

“He would have just continued to develop and be a part of the first XVIII talent if given the opportunity.”

Cadman flies for a mark. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Clark said there were contrasting differences between Cadman and a new Richmond star.

“I taught Jacob Hopper who is coming back and he’s not like a Hops,” Clark said.

“He (Hopper) thought about coming back to Geelong years ago.

“(Cadman is) pretty independent, he just wants to play footy.

“(He’s) similar to Liam Duggan where in whichever environment they are in they will give their all wholeheartedly.”

“Liam loves West Coast.”

A Darley Devils player for life

Darley president Mark Shelly said Cadman’s rise was similar to another Devil — Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters.

Butters played in Darley’s 2017 premiership before he was drafted by the Power in 2019.

Like Butters, Cadman has been donned the black and white since he was young.

He started in the under 10s.

Aaron Cadman celebrates a goal. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images

“He’s on a similar pathway to Zak,” he said.

“You could see as Aaron came through in under-15s and under-17s and he was an exceptional talent.

“You certainly got the inkling then he could go onto bigger and better things.”

So who was the better prospect?

“That’s a really hard one, both are probably different types of players,” Shelly said.

“The same thing when Zak played senior football, you knew he was destined for big things.

“I’d hate to get one of them off side by putting one over the other.”