Potential AFL No.1 pick Aaron Cadman says he would embrace moving to Sydney as GWS attempt to end their struggles with retaining top Victorian signings.

Cadman appears all but a lock to head to the Giants, who are widely believed to have traded up the draft in order to secure the brilliantly athletic key forward who has been likened to Jeremy Cameron.

GWS have struggled to retain their recent top Victorian draft picks, either losing them after their initial contract or needing to pay a premium to sign them long-term.

Tanner Bruhn headed to Geelong in the recent trade period after just two years in Sydney, while Essendon nabbed Jye Caldwell at the end of his first contract in 2020.

But Cadman, from Darley, was adamant he had no hesitation about heading north to Sydney – a city he has never visited.

“That really excites me, if I were to go to Sydney,” he said on Tuesday.

“The thought of a new beginning and a restart almost, it really excites me. And experiencing new things. I can’t wait.” 

The Giants have made no secret of their interest in Cadman.

“It makes me feel pretty good, pretty special,” he said. 

“It’s a dream to have a club talk about you like that. It’s pretty special when you hear that stuff.”

Cadman admitted he would be “over the moon” to hear his name called out with the first pick but stressed he could handle being demoted to No.2 if GWS first bid on Brisbane father-son prospect Will Ashcroft. 

“Will’s a freak. He’s the best player in this draft,” Cadman said. 

“It doesn’t faze me where I go, it could be pick one or 101. 

“As long as I can play footy and do what I love to do, then I’ll be happy.” 

A massive growth-spurt prompted Cadman’s switch from winger to key forward.

Now standing 195cm with a thumping left foot, it is no surprise he has drawn comparisons to Cameron.

Cadman has met the former Giant and star Cat on several occasions and relished learning from him about body positioning on the field, and sharing interests off it.

“That’s super special. To be compared to a player like that is unreal, really,” he said.

“I’ve had a few meetings with him and he’s just probably the best bloke I’ve ever met. I can’t say anything better about him.”