| Paul Cahill | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Paul Cahill | ||
| Date of birth | 19 August 1990 | ||
| Original team | Sturt (SANFL) | ||
| Draft | #74, 2008 National Draft, St Kilda | ||
| Height/Weight | 192cm / 87 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
Paul Cahill (born 19 October 1990) is an Australian rules footballer in the AFL with the St Kilda Football Club.
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As a junior, Cahill started off playing for the Mitcham Hawks Football Club where he played in the U11's and U13's. After a brief stint at the Blackwood Football Club Cahill soon found himself playing in the higher level SANFL U17s competition with the Sturt Football Club at the incredible age of 14. Whilst at Sturt, his reputation of being a high flying forward grew. Dominating in the 2007 season, Cahill won the McCullum Medal for the best player in the league. The year after he moved to Sturt U19s level and was up to the new challenge, playing a crucial role in the teams grand final appearance. After a lot of eye-catching performances, and brandishing a style of football similar to that of Lance Franklin, AFL recruiters started to take notice. Leading up to the 2008 AFL Draft Cahill was considered among Australian Football's elite young talent.
He played in the NAB State U18 Championships in 2008 for South Australia as their centre half forward and lead the competition in contested marks. In this championship he impressed recruiters with his huge vertical leaping abilities and amazing agility for his height. In one match against Victoria Metro he dominated against Michael Hurley who was later chosen as the No. 5 draft pick by the Essendon Football Club.
Paul Cahill was drafted in the fifth round at pick 74 by St Kilda in the 2008 AFL Draft, after being touted as a possible first round pick earlier in the year.
During the 2009 season, Paul failed to reach full match fitness after missing the majority of the St Kilda pre-season with a severe hip injury. However, he showed glimpses of pure brilliance whilst playing for the Sandringham Football Club, including a haul of five goals.
After impressing during a NAB Cup performance at the beginning of the season, Cahill once again struggled to break into St Kilda's senior side. In round 14 when key forwards Justin Koschitzke and Nick Riewoldt were out both out of the team, Cahill came strongly into consideration to make his long awaited debut. However due to mixed performances playing for Sandringham, the coaches decided to select Cahill's good friend Rhys Stanley instead. At the end of the year Cahill was rewarded with a new contract.
During the 2010/11 off season Cahill trained hard with some amateur bodybuilders at the Blackwood Fitness Centre to add some much needed size to his lean frame. He is looking to become a more menacing prospect and hold down a regular starting 18 spot this year.