Great debut goal

By Tim Saultry

Darley’s Number 1 AFL draft pick, Aaron Cadman, made his much-anticipated debut for Greater Western Sydney on Sunday 16 April at Norwood Oval in Adelaide.

In a debut that didn’t disappoint, Cadman goaled in the first quarter after receiving a hand pass over the top and showed his class by cooly slotting the ball through the big sticks, much to the celebration of his GWS team mates.

Cadman looked every inch a league footballer as he roamed the forward line as part of a three-pronged GWS forward structure with established players Jesse Hogan and Harry Himmelberg.

Starting on the bench Cadman was introduced after 10 minutes and soon had a strong contested mark and kick on the back flank. Not long after Cadman was celebrating his first goal in league football with his second kick and a huge smile.

Tall and mobile, Cadman rotated through the forward line and off the bench. Finishing the game with 4 kicks, 2 marks and 2 handpasses, Cadman moved well and was not over awed by expectations of being the number one draft pick. The orange boots worn by Cadman provided evidence of his confidence in the spotlight. He was keen to engage with Giants supporters pre and post-game, which will enamour Cadman with fans.

Scoring a goal on debut echoed Cadman’s senior debut for Darley two years prior where after a strong pack mark, he goaled at City Oval against Redan. Cadman had managed both junior and senior games with Darley amongst his GWV Rebels commitments in 2021.

Cadman had friends and family in the stands including his parents and elder brothers Joel and Duncan who had been part of Darley’s strong win over Ballarat the previous day.

The celebration of Darley football had started the prior evening when Darley premiership player Zak Butters had starred for Port Adelaide in a Best on Ground performance against Western Bulldogs. Butters scored the sealing goal after an awesome display of wet weather football, which in a post-match interview he attributed to having grown up playing junior football in worse conditions in Ballarat. When Cadman made his senior debut for Darley he also scored a goal.

He also kicked a goal against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday 22 April.