The GIANTS have selected three players in the first round of the 2022 NAB AFL Draft, including power forward Aaron Cadman at pick one.
It has been a meteoric rise for Cadman, who entered the NAB League season having not played as a key forward before and ended it as the best in the draft and the top pick.
The left-footer is athletic and smart and is capable at ground level as well as in the air. He competes strongly and courageously, finishing the NAB League season with 34 goals.
GIANTS National Recruiting Manager Adrian Caruso said the club is thrilled to secure the 18-year-old, after trading up to pick one during the trade period.
“Aaron had a really strong year this year where he impacted consistently for both the GWV Rebels and Vic Country,” Caruso said.
“He is a mobile key forward who can get up the ground as well as impact closer to goal.
“We felt through the interview process that Aaron was a great fit for our footy club. When we combined that with his talent and how hard it is to find good young key forwards, we felt it was worthwhile trading up to guarantee we didn’t miss out on him.”
The GIANTS entered round one of the Draft holding picks one, 15 and 18 prior to Academy and Father-Son bids as well as the first pick on night two on Tuesday.
At pick 16, the Swans bid on GIANTS Academy product Harry Rowston, with the GIANTS opting to match the bid on the home-grown talent.
Hailing from Griffith in southern NSW, Rowston is a competitive midfielder who enjoyed a consistent season at all levels.
The ball-getter was the Allies' most valuable player at the championships, where he averaged 23 disposals and five clearances, and he was also strong for the GIANTS Academy and for the Calder Cannons. He was named the GIANTS’ Academy Player of the Year.
“We are always keen to add in GIANTS Academy talent and with Harry we believe we have brought in someone with some flexibility to play multiple roles in areas of need,” Caruso said.
“He has shown capability to impact through the midfield and forward, and his strong footy brain mixed with competitive edge gives him a chance to develop into a key member of our team in years to come.”
With the final pick of the night, the GIANTS bolstered their small forward stocks and selected Darcy Jones at pick 21.
Jones was a star of the NAB AFL Draft Combine, with the versatile small breaking a 14-year record in the agility test with a run of 7.70 seconds. He was also joint winner of the vertical jump test and placed equal fifth in the running vertical jump, as well as claiming a 20-metre sprint time of 2.912 seconds.
“Darcy is a player we believe can turn into a dangerous small forward who combines some elite athletic traits with a strong footy brain,” Caruso said.
“Darcy’s two-way speed suits the way we want to play, yet he also is a strong competitor who we are confident can develop into a player that gives us a spark in the front half.”
The GIANTS now hold pick 22 - the first pick of the night - as well as 34 and 53 on night two of the Draft, to be held at Marvel Stadium from 7pm on Tuesday.
