'Dominant': Giant 2022 gamble now paying huge dividends for GWS as Aaron Cadman emerges as star

GWS made two bold gambles in 2022 surrounding the upcoming draft and both are now paying dividends.

In that trade period, the Giants parted with picks three, 12 and a future second round pick in order to secure the number one pick in the draft, which they then used on key forward Aaron Cadman.

The second part of that gamble was that Cadman was not viewed as the best player in that draft class, with multiple mock drafts having him at five, well within the Giants' range at pick three.

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And the decision was widely panned at the time for that reason.

The top of the 2022 draft was stacked as well, featuring the likes of Will Ashcroft, Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Bailey Humphrey and Mattaes Phillipou.

However, they clearly had their heart set on the teenage key forward from regional Victoria and went all in on him.

Key forwards take longer to develop than midfielders and in his third year, he is clearly emerging as a future star of the competition.

Cadman was enormous in GWS' win over Geelong on Saturday afternoon, kicking six goals in the 17.9. (111) to 13.7. (85) win.

It means he has now kicked 16 goals across his last four games, arriving when the Giants needed it most against the likes of Brisbane, Gold Coast and Geelong.

Former Brisbane key forward star Alastair Lynch was incredibly impressed with what he saw from the 21-year-old.

"The number one draft pick was dominant in the third quarter," Lynch told Fox Footy.

"We saw him kick five a few weeks ago in a dominant display once again.

"He had four disposals for four goals in the third quarter in what could be his best AFL performance.

"He is very good and there are a lot of fans excited about what they're seeing and what the future might hold."

"He has been exceptional," goal kicking legend Jason Dunstall agreed.

Teammate Lachie Whitfield is equally enamoured with the young key forward's development.

"His season has been unreal. He's really starting to breakthrough. He's going to be a star of the comp for a long time," Whitfield said post match.

Cadman's six-goal second half elevated the Giants to the win over the Cats, helping secure their place in the top eight.

"It feels like I'm slowing puzzling the pieces together. As a young key forward it's frustrating, but it just takes time," Cadman himself said post game.

The Western Bulldogs' loss earlier in the day coupled with Hawthorn and Fremantle playing each other means the Giants will finish the round in the top eight.

Geelong led by as much as three goals in the first term, before GWS flipped the game on its head, controlling proceedings from there.

Key off-season recruits Jake Stringer booted four goals and helped swing the game in the second term, while Shannon Neale kicked five himself for the Cats.

Whitfield in his 250th game led the way with 32 disposals for the Giants, while Tom Stewart found 29 for the Cats.

Jeremy Cameron, who currently leads the Coleman Medal, finished with just the one goal and was clearly hampered by a lower body injury suffered early in the contest.

GWS will need to continue their strong run of form next weekend when they face Essendon at Marvel Stadium, while Geelong takes on St Kilda.