Halls Creek in Western Australia’s Kimberley region is becoming something of a football factory, and Shane McAdam is another to come out of the town with a population of just over 1500 people.

McAdam grew up playing with his siblings and cousins in the football mad town before relocating to Perth in 2015 to join WAFL side Claremont.

He attended the WA Draft Combine that year and despite excelling in the vertical jump, sprint and agility testing, he was overlooked by AFL recruiters and returned to Halls Creek.

Spurred on by his cousin Sam Petrevski-Seton, who was playing regular football at Carlton, McAdam made the move to South Australia to take a second shot at making the AFL.

After a year playing Amateur League with Scotch Old Collegians in 2017, McAdam was picked up by Sturt in the SANFL for 2018, booting 23 goals and catching the eye of recruiters with his high-flying marks and manic forward pressure.

His fine season was rewarded with interest from the Adelaide Crows, who negotiated to secure his rights from Carlton, who had access to mature-age talent via a Draft concession.

McAdam joined the Crows for 2019, initially putting aside his electrician apprenticeship to focus on his new full-time job.

His work ethic, maturity and increased professionalism was rewarded as he made his debut in 2020, becoming a regular in the Crows line-up and on AFL highlights reels with his leaping marks.

Ahead of the 2024 season McAdam moved to the Melbourne Football Club for a new challenge.

Away from football, McAdam takes every opportunity to return to Halls Creek, see his family and enjoy his favourite pastimes, which include fishing and camping.