AFL

GWS Giants' Cadman top pick in AFL draft

By AAP Newswire

Nov 28, 2022

No.1 AFL draft pick Aaron Cadman. — Aaron Cadman is the No.1 pick in the AFL national draft and will join Greater Western Sydney. -AAP Image

Greater Western Sydney have selected Aaron Cadman with the No.1 pick at the AFL national draft, opting against bidding on father-son prospect Will Ashcroft.

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The Giants traded up to secure the prized first pick at Monday night's draft and used it to recruit Victorian key forward Cadman.

A high-end bid on midfield gun Ashcroft was a certainty and came from North Melbourne at pick two.

It was immediately matched by the Brisbane Lions, who had rights to Ashcroft and were always committed to drafting the son of club great Marcus Ashcroft.

The Kangaroos held the next two selections, taking Victorian duo Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw with picks three and four respectively.

Sheezel is set to be the first Jewish player in the AFL in two decades.

GWS have long admired 18-year-old GWV Rebels product Cadman and there was no surprise when they called out his name.

The athletic 195cm forward has been likened to former GWS goal-kicker Jeremy Cameron, who starred in Geelong's premiership this year, and Carlton's Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow.

Unlike some other top prospects, Cadman has indicated he is fully prepared to move to Sydney.

That commitment was attractive to the Giants, who have lost a host of stars back to their home states in recent years.