The 2022 AFL Draft class is shaping up and becoming more promising with every day that passes. Possessing a variety of talents, the class of ‘22 has certainly provided clubs and playing lists with a service that clubs will be hoping to hold onto for the entirety of their playing careers.
While some stars have already emerged and established themselves, like Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft and North Melbourne’s very own duo of Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw, the class still has the potential to deliver on more of the promise it entailed.
This article explores eight players we believe are ready to take a leap, matching a prediction for each of them heading into the 2025 season.
1. Aaron Cadman
The number one draft pick of the 2022 class; Aaron Cadman will be a prime breakout candidate for the Giants.
In 2024, Cadman became a mainstay of the best 23 – improving his senior games tally from 12 in his first year to 23 in his second. Part of the leap came as he was able to improve his forward craft, an admittedly tough task for a teenager entering the AFL. His goal tally improved from a measly six in 2022 to 30 in 2024 and, most importantly, it was evident to everyone watching that he was playing with a greater level of confidence.
If you’d watched the prodigious talent prior to entering the AFL you’d have likened his style of play to the likes of legends present and past; Jeremy Cameron and Nick Riewoldt. Despite checking in at 195cm, Cadman glides around the ground and works tirelessly to get from contest to contest. While he’s nowhere near the heights of those previously mentioned, it is easy to see the comparisons in their game.
For now, the Giants have recognised this and deployed him as a pseudo-ruck to help provide Kieren Briggs with the rest he needs. This has helped Cadman utilise his gut running and verticality to impact the game away from the scoreboard.
We could see the talented forward elevate his game to new heights across the ground and provide the necessary workrate and space for the Giants to allow Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan to operate as stay-at-home forwards for the Giants.
Prediction: Cadman ends the season with at least 30 goals.