Preview 2022 draft prospects

CAMERON-LIKE CADMAN RISING UP DRAFT BOARDS

In draft class renowned for its array of versatile, hybrid prospects, two emerging key forwards have put themselves in first-round draft calculations.

GWV Rebels 194cm goalkicker Aaron Cadman continued his excellent national championships campaign on Sunday, booting 3.3 from 19 disposals and eight marks (two contested) in Vic Country’s 43-point win over Western Australia at GMHBA Stadium.

AFL National Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan told Fox Footy Cadman was “a lot like Jeremy Cameron” – and the fact he was able to win so much of the ball up the field, as well as be a constant scoreboard threat, justified the talent guru’s call.

“He’s a mobile left-footer and has that laconic look about him, but he’s quick on the lead, strong overhead and is a thumping kick for goal on that preferred left boot,” Sheehan told Fox Footy.

“If he can end up half as good as Jeremy Cameron, he’ll be a fair player … He’s on the right pathway with what he’s been able to show this year. He’s a very dangerous player.”
AFL draft expert Mick Ablett added: “He’s just a big body to get around when he positions himself like that and sticks his backside back into the defender to create separation.”

Athletic 195cm Oakleigh Chargers forward Matt Jefferson was also prominent on Sunday, booting three goals for Vic Metro against South Australia to take his carnival tally to 12 from three games.

Cadman and Jefferson have overtaken South Australia’s Harry Lemmey as the best key-position forward prospects in the draft class, with Lemmey struggling to boost his chances at national level after entering the year as a possible Pick 1 contender.

Lemmey, whose 2022 campaign has been interrupted due to entering health and safety protocols a couple of times, entered Sunday’s match against Vic Metro with confidence after booting six goals for West Adelaide in his most recent SANFL Under 18s match.

But the 18-year-old couldn’t impose himself at GMHBA Stadium, finishing scoreless from three disposals and two marks. The SA coaching staff threw Lemmey into the ruck then, in the last quarter, down back to try and get him into the game.
 

manicpie

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With Cadman and Jefferson rising up the charts we still might be able to get Lemmey or Keeler. I'm still a bit bullish on Lemmey, especially if he falls to our pick. For one reason or another his output is way down but he showed last year just how good he can be. Keeler is still my choice but only because I think he could impact right away. I wonder if we try and trade up if we see an opportunity to take Cadman. Intersesting off season coming up
 
With Cadman and Jefferson rising up the charts we still might be able to get Lemmey or Keeler. I'm still a bit bullish on Lemmey, especially if he falls to our pick. For one reason or another his output is way down but he showed last year just how good he can be. Keeler is still my choice but only because I think he could impact right away. I wonder if we try and trade up if we see an opportunity to take Cadman. Intersesting off season coming up
Yeah, I think we have seen signs of what Lemmey can do. So the potential is there. He was my pick of the bunch at the start of the year
 
Apr 26, 2006
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Yeah, I think we have seen signs of what Lemmey can do. So the potential is there. He was my pick of the bunch at the start of the year
Lemmey: Has getting Covid and a restricted pre-season really impacted his form or is he trying to slide in order to stay in SA? Seems to have lost his ability to create separation on the lead and therefore getting less marks. I would expect that he still goes first round and won't slide to the 2nd unless he does a Jack Darling and creates some rumours of bad off field behaviour.
 

manicpie

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Lemmey: Has getting Covid and a restricted pre-season really impacted his form or is he trying to slide in order to stay in SA? Seems to have lost his ability to create separation on the lead and therefore getting less marks. I would expect that he still goes first round and won't slide to the 2nd unless he does a Jack Darling and creates some rumours of bad off field behaviour.
ATM, he would right around our pick, fingers crossed
 
With Cadman and Jefferson rising up the charts we still might be able to get Lemmey or Keeler. I'm still a bit bullish on Lemmey, especially if he falls to our pick. For one reason or another his output is way down but he showed last year just how good he can be. Keeler is still my choice but only because I think he could impact right away. I wonder if we try and trade up if we see an opportunity to take Cadman. Intersesting off season coming up
Judging by our reported potential trade moves this offseason, I’m of the firm belief that we’re aiming to get 3 picks inside 25. There will be a glut of key position prospects available in the 15-25 range by the looks of it. We may even end up being able to get both Lemmey and Keeler if the cards fall the right way.
 
SCULLY. Finally.

Sunday July 24

WA v SA
| Optus Stadium, Perth | 12:15pm SA time

Live broadcast on Fox Footy and live stream on AFL.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

F: Jake Walker (Glenelg), Tom Scully (West), Ashton Moir (Glenelg)

HF: Mattaes Phillipou (Eagles), Isaac Keeler (North), Ben Ridgway (Glenelg)

C: Luca Slade (Sturt), Adam D’Aloia (Eagles), Billy Dowling (North)

HB: Tyson Walls (Norwood), Max Michalanney (Norwood), Jakob Ryan (Glenelg)

B: Shaun Bennier (North), Adam Deakin (Central), Alex Holt (Sturt)



R: Harry Barnett (West), Nick Sadler (Sturt), Archie Lovelock (Glenelg)

INT: Will Verrall (South), Will Patton (West), Jack Delean (South), Kobe Ryan (West), Brodie Tuck (Central)

IN: Slade, Ridgway, Delean, Verrall, Tuck, Scully, Deakin

OUT – Lemmey, Duncan, Foster, Blacker, Pedler, Barkla, Marshall
 
Looks like both Keeler/Scully didn't much much impact. Keeler got on the scoreboard with 1 though

 

manicpie

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Looks like both Keeler/Scully didn't much much impact. Keeler got on the scoreboard with 1 though

Not the best game I've seen. Scully was really average and I don't see him going top 20. The best was the guy I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, his name is Ashton Moir, not available till next years draft but what a player he is already
 
Apr 26, 2006
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Marquee Matchups: Aaron Cadman vs. Matthew Jefferson​

Michael Alvaro
MARQUEE MATCHUPSJuly 21, 2022
Cadman-Jefferson-Marquee-Matchup.jpeg

THIS year’s National Championships have been the first full instalment since 2019, meaning the nation’s best Under 18 draft hopefuls have finally been able to test their mettle against each other once again. With that comes a number of mouthwatering contests between players vying for similar spots on draft boards, as their top-age campaigns turns for home.
In the return of our Marquee Matchups series, we highlight a pair of prospects who in one way or another, will continue to compete in 2022; comparing their vitals, stats, strengths, and improvement areas. First up, it’s a battle of the key forwards in a classic Country against Metro clash – Aaron Cadman vs. Matthew Jefferson.
>> POWER RANKINGS: July Top 25 update

PLAYER PROFILES:​

Aaron-Cadman-GWV-2022-NAB-League.jpg

GWV REBELS,VIC COUNTRYKEY FORWARD

Aaron Cadman​

Height: 194cm
Weight: 88kg
DOB: 03-03-2004

Matthew-Jefferson2.jpg

OAKLEIGH CHARGERSKEY FORWARD

Matthew Jefferson​

Height: 194cm
Weight: 76kg
DOB: 08-03-2004


2022 STATS:​

CADMAN:
2022 NAB League – 7 games | 14.4 disposals | 11.3 kicks | 3.3 handballs | 5.0 marks | 2.4 tackles | 3.4 inside 50s | 2.6 goals (18.14 total)
JEFFERSON:
2022 NAB League – 4 games | 10.3 disposals | 9.0 kicks | 1.3 handballs | 7.5 marks | 1.5 tackles | 2.5 inside 50s | 1.5 goals (6.9 total)

BEST GAME:​

CADMAN:
NAB League Round 10 vs. Oakleigh Chargers
Key stats – 20 disposals, 7 marks, 4 goals, 4 behinds
Our scouts said…
“Cadman certainly had a case for being the best player afield, booting four goals from eight scoring shots in a dominant display from centre half-forward. The first round prospect got on the board within a minute of the opening bounce, and it set the tone for a game where he got separation on the lead time after time. Though inconsistent with his finishing and much scrappier at ground level, Cadman’s goalkicking routine looked fluent when on song, while his marking prowess was simply unstoppable. With a goal in each quarter, his impact was sustained.”
JEFFERSON:
Under 18 National Championships vs. Western Australia
Key stats – 10 disposals, 6 marks, 7 goals
Our scouts said…
“The star of the day with seven goals, Jefferson produced a true breakout performance on the big stage. Booting all of his majors at one end of the ground, he was the centrepiece of Metro’s dominant patches and proved unstoppable when on song. The skinny tall forward snared two of his side’s four first quarter goals, before coming to life in the third with five more, converting with aplomb on each occasion. That part of his game has not always been a strength, but was certainly no issue on Saturday. On top of his goalkicking feats, Jefferson gave his opponents a bath in terms of marking ability, defying his frame with a couple of strong pack efforts, and utilising his raw athleticism to rise high.”

STRENGTHS:​

CADMAN:
  • Overhead marking
  • Leading patterns
  • Forward craft
  • Clean hands
  • Strength
An ominous figure on the lead, Cadman is a tall whose forward craft is through the roof. He presents with authority and uses his frame to not only create separation for his leads, but also when competing in one-on-one situations. The bigman’s strength also helps in general play, where he can snare snap goals from the thick of the action. Capable of clunking pack marks, his vice-like hands are also sticky when hitting up at the kicker, and he has proven a true spearhead for both Greater Western Victoria and Vic Country. With four hauls of three or more goals in his seven NAB League games, Cadman is unstoppable at his best.
JEFFERSON:
  • Aerial ability
  • Clean hands
  • Overhead marking
  • Impact per possession
  • Versatility
Jefferson is another aerially dominant tall forward, moreso through his greater athleticism and mobility, rather than pure power. His ability to leap straight up and clunk marks is terrific, but Jefferson also has the capacity to lead shrewdly on the back of that dexterity. With great range, reach, and clean hands defiant of his skinny frame, Jefferson’s overhead marking is clearly his one-wood. While he hasn’t quite shown it as a top-ager, Jefferson is also versatile enough to roam on a wing or be thrown down back, which adds strings to his bow. He tends to produce scores from his limited number of possessions, making his impact high when on song in front of goal.

IMPROVEMENTS:​

CADMAN:
– Goalkicking consistency
– Versatility
A season goalkicking tally of 18.13 is hardly something to scoff at, yet it presents a clear area of improvement for Cadman. On four occasions, he has registered three or more behinds in a game, including on his best day (4.4 vs. Oakleigh in Round 10). While there are no glaring technical issues, getting his routine down pat to make full use of his marking dominance and long left boot will be key to his sustained success. Cadman is also a touch less dextrous in the sense of his overall versatility. He cut his teeth in altered roles as a bottom-ager, but looks like a true lead-up key forward who has mastered a trade, but can certainly add strings to his bow.
JEFFERSON:
– Strength
– Production/Consistency
Jefferson fits the mould of a raw tall with plenty of development ahead of him. While Cadman could well impact early in year one, the Oakleigh tall is more a project type who recruiters will imagine can dominate with an extra 15-20kg on his frame. A lack of strength hardly holds him back against his peers, but there are taller defenders with greater reach at the next level who will find him out as is. Jefferson can also look to up his production levels. He tends not to have too much sustained impact outside of his marks and goals, so taking a better hold on games when the ball isn’t streaming towards him inside 50 will be important. Like Cadman, his set shot goalkicking has also been an issue at times – not in his 7.0 effort against WA – with a total NAB League tally of 6.9, including a game of six behinds.

VERDICT:​

Two tall forwards separated by a single spot in our Power Rankings, Cadman and Jefferson have their similarities and differences. While Cadman has the strength and power as a lead-up forward, Jefferson has a touch more dynamism in his marking range and defies his frame. Both have clear improvements to make in terms of being more consistent set shot converters, but Cadman gets the edge in our book for his readymade factor. Jefferson may well have a higher ceiling and greater potential, but that crystal ball work is always a risky exercise. Either way, both have stamped themselves as the draft’s top key forward options and look like first round locks.
 

Marquee Matchups: Aaron Cadman vs. Matthew Jefferson​

Michael Alvaro
MARQUEE MATCHUPSJuly 21, 2022
Cadman-Jefferson-Marquee-Matchup.jpeg

THIS year’s National Championships have been the first full instalment since 2019, meaning the nation’s best Under 18 draft hopefuls have finally been able to test their mettle against each other once again. With that comes a number of mouthwatering contests between players vying for similar spots on draft boards, as their top-age campaigns turns for home.
In the return of our Marquee Matchups series, we highlight a pair of prospects who in one way or another, will continue to compete in 2022; comparing their vitals, stats, strengths, and improvement areas. First up, it’s a battle of the key forwards in a classic Country against Metro clash – Aaron Cadman vs. Matthew Jefferson.
>> POWER RANKINGS: July Top 25 update

PLAYER PROFILES:​

Aaron-Cadman-GWV-2022-NAB-League.jpg

GWV REBELS,VIC COUNTRYKEY FORWARD

Aaron Cadman​

Height: 194cm
Weight: 88kg
DOB: 03-03-2004

Matthew-Jefferson2.jpg

OAKLEIGH CHARGERSKEY FORWARD

Matthew Jefferson​

Height: 194cm
Weight: 76kg
DOB: 08-03-2004


2022 STATS:​

CADMAN:
2022 NAB League – 7 games | 14.4 disposals | 11.3 kicks | 3.3 handballs | 5.0 marks | 2.4 tackles | 3.4 inside 50s | 2.6 goals (18.14 total)
JEFFERSON:
2022 NAB League – 4 games | 10.3 disposals | 9.0 kicks | 1.3 handballs | 7.5 marks | 1.5 tackles | 2.5 inside 50s | 1.5 goals (6.9 total)

BEST GAME:​

CADMAN:
NAB League Round 10 vs. Oakleigh Chargers
Key stats – 20 disposals, 7 marks, 4 goals, 4 behinds
Our scouts said…
“Cadman certainly had a case for being the best player afield, booting four goals from eight scoring shots in a dominant display from centre half-forward. The first round prospect got on the board within a minute of the opening bounce, and it set the tone for a game where he got separation on the lead time after time. Though inconsistent with his finishing and much scrappier at ground level, Cadman’s goalkicking routine looked fluent when on song, while his marking prowess was simply unstoppable. With a goal in each quarter, his impact was sustained.”
JEFFERSON:
Under 18 National Championships vs. Western Australia
Key stats – 10 disposals, 6 marks, 7 goals
Our scouts said…
“The star of the day with seven goals, Jefferson produced a true breakout performance on the big stage. Booting all of his majors at one end of the ground, he was the centrepiece of Metro’s dominant patches and proved unstoppable when on song. The skinny tall forward snared two of his side’s four first quarter goals, before coming to life in the third with five more, converting with aplomb on each occasion. That part of his game has not always been a strength, but was certainly no issue on Saturday. On top of his goalkicking feats, Jefferson gave his opponents a bath in terms of marking ability, defying his frame with a couple of strong pack efforts, and utilising his raw athleticism to rise high.”

STRENGTHS:​

CADMAN:
  • Overhead marking
  • Leading patterns
  • Forward craft
  • Clean hands
  • Strength
An ominous figure on the lead, Cadman is a tall whose forward craft is through the roof. He presents with authority and uses his frame to not only create separation for his leads, but also when competing in one-on-one situations. The bigman’s strength also helps in general play, where he can snare snap goals from the thick of the action. Capable of clunking pack marks, his vice-like hands are also sticky when hitting up at the kicker, and he has proven a true spearhead for both Greater Western Victoria and Vic Country. With four hauls of three or more goals in his seven NAB League games, Cadman is unstoppable at his best.
JEFFERSON:
  • Aerial ability
  • Clean hands
  • Overhead marking
  • Impact per possession
  • Versatility
Jefferson is another aerially dominant tall forward, moreso through his greater athleticism and mobility, rather than pure power. His ability to leap straight up and clunk marks is terrific, but Jefferson also has the capacity to lead shrewdly on the back of that dexterity. With great range, reach, and clean hands defiant of his skinny frame, Jefferson’s overhead marking is clearly his one-wood. While he hasn’t quite shown it as a top-ager, Jefferson is also versatile enough to roam on a wing or be thrown down back, which adds strings to his bow. He tends to produce scores from his limited number of possessions, making his impact high when on song in front of goal.

IMPROVEMENTS:​

CADMAN:
– Goalkicking consistency
– Versatility
A season goalkicking tally of 18.13 is hardly something to scoff at, yet it presents a clear area of improvement for Cadman. On four occasions, he has registered three or more behinds in a game, including on his best day (4.4 vs. Oakleigh in Round 10). While there are no glaring technical issues, getting his routine down pat to make full use of his marking dominance and long left boot will be key to his sustained success. Cadman is also a touch less dextrous in the sense of his overall versatility. He cut his teeth in altered roles as a bottom-ager, but looks like a true lead-up key forward who has mastered a trade, but can certainly add strings to his bow.
JEFFERSON:
– Strength
– Production/Consistency
Jefferson fits the mould of a raw tall with plenty of development ahead of him. While Cadman could well impact early in year one, the Oakleigh tall is more a project type who recruiters will imagine can dominate with an extra 15-20kg on his frame. A lack of strength hardly holds him back against his peers, but there are taller defenders with greater reach at the next level who will find him out as is. Jefferson can also look to up his production levels. He tends not to have too much sustained impact outside of his marks and goals, so taking a better hold on games when the ball isn’t streaming towards him inside 50 will be important. Like Cadman, his set shot goalkicking has also been an issue at times – not in his 7.0 effort against WA – with a total NAB League tally of 6.9, including a game of six behinds.

VERDICT:​

Two tall forwards separated by a single spot in our Power Rankings, Cadman and Jefferson have their similarities and differences. While Cadman has the strength and power as a lead-up forward, Jefferson has a touch more dynamism in his marking range and defies his frame. Both have clear improvements to make in terms of being more consistent set shot converters, but Cadman gets the edge in our book for his readymade factor. Jefferson may well have a higher ceiling and greater potential, but that crystal ball work is always a risky exercise. Either way, both have stamped themselves as the draft’s top key forward options and look like first round locks.
Doubt we get close enough to Cadman. But Jefferson I reckon could be a chance
 

Rusty Beam

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Sep 30, 2009
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Alright after this weekends game and another bag of goal, I’m all aboard the Cadman bandwagon now.

But I agree with Jen, unfortunately I reckon he’ll be the first key forward picked and subsequently probably out of our draft range.
 
Alright after this weekends game and another bag of goal, I’m all aboard the Cadman bandwagon now.

But I agree with Jen, unfortunately I reckon he’ll be the first key forward picked and subsequently probably out of our draft range.
The change to the top key forwards from the start of the year til now has changed dramatically.

The SA boys have fallen, the the vic boys who hadn't played very much in the last 12 months has risen.
 

Bob Neil

Club Legend
Sep 20, 2011
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Hi Collingwood Fans & Draft Watchers - pardon the intrusion.

For those who might be interested I've created a thread over at the Draft hub about the BigFooty 2022 National Draft Crowdsourced Rankings (!!) which allows BF draft fans like yourself to participate in creating a 'crowdsourced player power ranking'. You can read about it on that thread or go straight to the survey site here to cast your own votes towards a crowdsourced ranking.

It's got close to 4000 votes since launching this morning so whether you're a draft guru or just an interested onlooker we'd love to have your input into this different approach to ranking the prospective draftees for 2022.

It's very simple - just go to Who is the better prospect for the 2022 AFL National Draft? and rank the player you think is better from each random pair that are shown...do it as many times as you like and see what player combos you get shown.

Below is a snapshot of the top 10 so far but you can see the full results here. Love to have you join in!

Note: the survey is about choosing which player of a pair you think is the better prospect so the scores you see below are the estimated chance (based on the BigFooty crowd responses) that a player will win (i.e. will be chosen) against any other randomly chosen player (from the pre-populated list of ~45 top prospects). For example, a score of 100 means the player is predicted to be selected every time and a score of 0 means the player is predicted to not be selected every time.

Screen Shot 2022-07-26 at 1.27.18 pm.png
 
Apr 26, 2006
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