Career
South Sydney
A South Sydney junior from the Redfern United Club, Kadwell first played for the Rabbitohs in the first grade NSWRFL premiership in 1927. In 1929 Kadwell moved to halfback and was selected in this position for the 1929-1930 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, becoming Kangaroo Number. 163. On the tour he played in eight matches, but no tests.
Following the residential qualification rules of the time, Kadwell was forced to leave Souths in 1930.
Saint George
Kadwell became Saint George"s captain-coach for the 1931 NSWRFL season and was also the club"s top point scorer in first grade. While representing New South Wales against England early in the 1932 season, Kadwell broke his legal ending his season and Arthur "Snowy" Justice took over as Saint George captain (and would later become coach and secretary of the club).
Kadwell returned in 1933 as Saint George captain (with "Ricketty" Johnston taking over as coach) to guide Saints to the 1933 premiership-deciding final, (lost 18-5 to Newtown) and was again the Saint George club"s top point-scorer. He was again captain in the 1934 NSWRFL season, his final season, earning selection for New South Wales once more and was again the Saint George club"s top point-scorer.
After retirement, Kadwell helped the Saint George club as a lower grade coach and selector.
On 7 February 1945 he was selected by the club"s committee to replace Bill Kelly as first-grade coach, although Percy Williams later shared the position.