The Aussie Dart Prodigy Who Threw It All Away (And Why It Still Hurts to Watch)

By Lewis Barnett 18 August, 2025 5 mins read 237 Views

God, this one gets me every time.

Back in 2016, I was watching some random darts tournament when this 21-year-old kid from Australia absolutely demolished Phil Taylor. Not just beat him - I'm talking about a proper schooling. The commentators were losing their minds, and honestly? So was I. Corey Cadby had just announced himself to the world in the most spectacular way possible, and everyone knew we were watching something special.

His nickname was "The King." At 21. The audacity was beautiful.

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When Everything Was Golden

Those early years felt like watching lightning in a bottle. Cadby wasn't just talented - he had that rare combination of skill and swagger that separates good players from legends. World youth champion at 21, UK Open final appearance, victories over established pros like Rob Cross. The trajectory was perfect, the future looked unlimited, and darts fans were already penciling him in for major championships.

I remember texting my mate after that Taylor match: "This kid's going to win everything." Feels stupid now, but at the time it seemed like a lock.

The Balotelli Comparison (And Why It's Painfully Accurate)

Someone on the Darts Draait Door Podcast called Cadby "the Mario Balotelli of darts," and honestly? That comparison hits different when you really think about it.

Balotelli had everything - pace, power, technique, that indefinable X-factor that separates good players from great ones. Premier League winner with City, Serie A champion with Inter Milan. But then there were the fireworks in his bathroom, throwing darts at youth players, Jose Mourinho calling him "unmanageable." Pure talent constantly sabotaged by chaos.

Sound familiar?

Host Damian Vlottes put it brutally: "That one has everything but brains. I feel the same about Cadby." Harsh? Maybe. Accurate? Unfortunately, yeah.

When the Wheels Came Off

By 2020, Cadby had basically vanished from professional darts. Not through injury or loss of form - through a series of legal troubles that made it impossible for him to get visas for European tournaments. Criminal record, missed court appearances, arrest warrants. The whole mess spiraled like watching a car crash in slow motion.

Vincent van der Voort, who knew talent when he saw it, summed up what we were all thinking: "Such a shame. He had everything to become a world-class player. He had character and wasn't afraid of teh big stage. It's a real shame he ended up sabotaging himself."

Poor Vincent. You could hear the frustration in his voice.

The Interview That Broke My Heart

Last year, Cadby opened up about his struggles, and honestly? It was brutal to read.

"Each day was so hard and that obviously led to alcohol. I was never one bit happy, I was actually depressed every day. I didn't want to wake up and to be honest, there were thoughts of suicide on my mind."

This wasn't just about missed opportunities anymore. This was about a human being drowning, and all that early promise felt secondary to hoping he'd be okay.

The Comeback That Wasn't

In 2023, there was a glimmer of hope. Cadby won back his tour card at Q-school, and for a moment it felt like maybe - just maybe - this story might have a redemption arc.

It didn't happen.

He never showed up to a single PDC event. The tour card was eventually removed, and that brief spark of possibility faded into nothing. Sometimes the damage runs too deep, and all the talent in the world can't fix what's broken inside.

What Could Have Been

Here's what kills me about the Cadby story: we're living in the Luke Littler era now, watching a teenage phenomenon tear through the sport like it's nothing. But before Cool Hand Luke, before the fairy tale run to the World Championship final, Corey Cadby was the young gun everyone was talking about.

Different paths, different outcomes. One kid channeled his talent into greatness, the other... well, you know how this story ends.

Balotelli's still out there somewhere, currently a free agent after stints in Turkey adn Italy, probably still capable of moments of brilliance between the chaos. Some stories don't get neat endings - they just fade into what-ifs and regrets.

And that's the saddest part of all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

Statistics

The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.

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How To

Setting Up Your Practice Space

The official height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the bullseye. The throwing line (oche) should be 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the board. I used to have mine hung too low and wondered why my game never improved at the pub! Measuring tape is your friend here.