Australian Football

After joining North Melbourne in 1993, Adrian McAdam enjoyed a brief but stellar career at the top level. Playing mainly in a forward pocket alongside John Longmire, McAdam created havoc among AFL backlines during his debut season, registering 68 goals in 17 games, and being widely acknowledged as one of the most exciting newcomers to arrive on the scene in years.

A younger brother of Greg and Gilbert McAdam, Adrian had earlier played with South Alice Springs, Darwin and Southern Districts. He was a member of the NTFL side which defeated Essendon by 30 points at Gardens Oval in 1990. Two years earlier, in Canberra, he was captain of the Northern Territory's Teal Cup team. He also played with North Adelaide, where he showed promise but failed to cement a regular place.

At North Melbourne, McAdam's career never again captured the heights of his inaugural season. He played just 19 further senior games for the 'Roos over the next two seasons, adding 24 goals. Nevertheless, at his best, as exemplified in 1993, he was both exhilarating to watch, and highly effective. Like his brother Gilbert, he had electrifying pace, as well as - perhaps more importantly - a tremendous change of pace. He also possessed extraordinary skills of evasion, and was a deadly kick for goal. Had he been capable of exhibiting these skills at the highest level for longer than a solitary season he might well have verged on genuine greatness.

Author - John Devaney