Another accolade for ex-Devil

By Lachlan Ellis

A former Darley Devil has added another achievement to his growing resume, with some media outlets speculating he’ll go top 10 in the upcoming AFL draft.

Aaron Cadman played his junior football at Darley and currently plays for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, where he’s just taken out the club’s Best & Fairest trophy.

Named after the Sydney Swans dual Brownlow Medallist and two-time premiership player who once played for the Rebels, Mr Cadman said winning the Adam Goodes Trophy was “a bit of a surprise”, given the talent around him at the club.

“I thought Hugh Bond was actually going to take it out, and then coming into the last couple of rounds I saw I was a bit close. I knew I played alright in the last few rounds, so I was hoping I could get over the line,” Mr Cadman told the Moorabool News.

“When I did, it was a pretty cool feeling to win the award, it’s an honour really to be up there with the names that have won it, it’s pretty special. To play with all my mates and then win the award is just really special.”

The 194cm left-footed sharpshooter, was also named as centre half forward and vice captain in the NAB League’s Team of the Year this year, on top of making the Australian Academy, being named Vic Country Co-Captain, winning a Coaches Award, and leading the goalkicking in the NAB League.

With a CV like that, media outlets such as Fox Sports and Zero Hanger have speculated that Cadman may be picked in the top 10 in November’s AFL Draft.

And while he says it’s exciting to hear that kind of buzz being generated about his potential, Mr Cadman says he tries not to let the speculation get to him, and instead lets his footy speak for itself.

“I try to steer away from that sort of stuff. I see it all, but I try to keep it out of my mind. It is pretty cool to have all that stuff written about you, but at the end of the day it’s about who the AFL clubs want. I’d be happy to go Pick 100 if I get picked,” he said.

“As long as I can get on a list, I’ll be happy…I try to let my footy do the talking.”

Mr Cadman thanked his coaches, parents, and the Darley community for “the support they’re always giving me in everything I do”.

The first round of the AFL’s national draft will take place on 28 November, with a second and subsequent round to take place on 29 November.