No.1 pick Aaron Cadman is learning valuable lessons as he takes his first steps in the AFL system, going toe-to-toe with one of the competition's premier defenders this pre-season.
Cadman, a 195cm-tall key forward out of Darley, Victoria, shot up the draft board last year off the back of a scintillating season where he booted 44 goals across the NAB League and National Champions with the GWV Rebels and Vic Country respectively.
The Giants got themselves involved in arguably the biggest trade in AFL history this off-season to get their hands on Pick 1 for last November's draft, moving on multiple first-round selections of their own to do so and subsequently secure the services of Cadman.
GWS will be hoping Cadman can be their new generation forward after losing two former No.1 picks and key forwards Jon Patton and Tom Boyd to Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs respectively.
Coleman Medal winner Jeremy Cameron also flocked to Victoria in a move to Geelong in 2020, adding another blow to the AFL's youngest club.
The Giants can only hope Cadman sees out a great career in the orange and charcoal, but they're not giving him an easy path to stardom.
The talented teenager has already been 'thrown into the dirt' by All-Australian defender Sam Taylor at training, giving Cadman a taste of what's to come in the top flight.
The new prized Giant is looking to add size to his 92kg frame as he continues to develop as a key position talent.
“Coming up against bigger bodies is a bit harder, so I'm just working on my body position and all that sort of stuff,” Cadman said, speaking at the AFLPA Player Leadership and Development Conference, via News Corp.
“It's pretty hard when you're coming up against Sam Taylor. He's been throwing me down in the dirt.
“I've still got to add a bit of meat to these bones.
“It's pretty hard when you're sweating it all out on the track, but I'm trying to add as much as I can. Hopefully I can add another three or four (kilos), which would be nice.”
The Giants may be required to utilise Cadman for their season opener against Adelaide in March given their limited key forwards options.
Should Adam Kingsley favour Harry Himmelberg as a defender in 2023, then the Giants' new senior coach will have Jesse Hogan, Jake Riccardi, uncapped tall Wade Derksen and Cadman to choose from for his forward structure.
Cadman still has months left in the pre-season to stake his claim for a Round 1 debut, with the youngster hopeful he's ready in ready in time.
"Fingers crossed,” he said. "But there's a long way to go."
The Giants will host the Crows at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday, March 19 to begin their 2023 campaign.
