Caiden Cleary on a big 2022… and a bigger ’23
Caiden Cleary’s a name AFL NSW/ACT has featured often on our social media but until now, we’ve yet to have the opportunity to chat with the 2023 NAB AFL Draft prospect. Having recently had his induction in the AFL Academy and ahead a of big summer of training, it is the perfect time to get to know this Newtown Swan and Sydney Uni player.
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Caiden Cleary has had a big year in 2022. He’s finished his HSC (Trinity Grammar School, Summer Hill), won a flag with Sydney University’s U19 side, was selected for the Allies in the NAB AFL National Championships, played in the NAB Futures match and was selected for the 2023 NAB AFL Academy.
“I think my year’s been pretty good,” said Cleary. “I’ve been ticking off a lot of short-term goals in school and footy. I wasn’t really known at the start of the year, so it’s good to build a little bit of a profile.”
Cleary break out performance was in the Futures match on the MCG on Grand Final day, where he played for Team Murphy – named after its coach, Marc Murphy. He gathered 31 disposals in a losing side, bustling through packs and winning plenty of outside ball. “It was great to play on the MCG – especially on Grand Final day – it was awesome,” he said. “I got a lot of outside ball, which was good because it’s something I am working on. Having boys around me who were quite talented helped me played a decent game.”
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One look at Cleary and you can see the 17-year-old is well suited to winning contested possession. “I started going to the gym about two years ago with a couple of mates,” he said. “It’s kind of like a hobby of mine outside of footy, which is pretty good because it helps with footy.” His gym program is set by the Sydney Swans Academy, but he has so much fun in the weights room that he has developed some of his own program along with his friends.
An obvious talent, Cleary’s been with the Swans Academy since he was 10 years old, having been selected when playing with the Newtown Swans. “The past year has definitely been my best year,” he said. “I certainly have never been the best player, but I’ve had a good season.”
2022 has been a big year, but 2023 is shaping up to be even bigger on the footy field for Cleary. In his draft year (when he hopes to start studying business at UTS), he can focus on his game and how to take it to the next level. The AFL Academy, coached by Magpies great Tarkyn Lockyer, will help with this, as will playing for Sydney Uni’s Premiers side and, all being well, another Allies selection and a solid National Championships.
There will be plenty of opportunities for Cleary to standout in 2023 and we’re looking forward to watching him rise to every challenge.
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