"Well, it's a good question really. I do deserve it": Does Corey Cadby warrant a second chance amid prison stint as 2027 comeback draws near

Corey Cadby is set to make his return to competitive darts in 2027. The Australian, once regarded as one of the biggest talents in the world, has been announced as a participant on the ADA Tour after years in which his promising career was derailed by problems away from the oche.

In an interview with Bang on Target, the former UK Open finalist reflected on his career highlights, his famous victory over Phil Taylor and the decisions that prevented him from fulfilling his considerable potential.

Cadby made an impression at a young age with his scoring power and confidence. The Australian demonstrated that he could compete with the best players in the world, even reaching the UK Open final in 2018. He lost that final 11-7 to Gary Anderson, but his performance confirmed his exceptional talent. However, Cadby eventually disappeared from the international darts scene as problems outside the sport prevented him from continuing his promising career.

One of the defining moments of Cadby's career was his stunning 6-2 victory over 16-time world champion Phil Taylor at the 2016 Perth Darts Masters. The Australian defeated the darts legend despite Taylor averaging more than 111, attracting international attention in the process. "Yeah, I'd say that was probably my greatest ever achievement at that stage with my darts," Cadby reflected.

Although he had relatively little experience at the highest level, he never doubted his own ability. "I always knew that I was pretty good, not being cocky or anything. I knew I had the capabilities."

However, Cadby believes there is a significant difference between possessing talent and delivering when it matters. "It's just whether you put it to bed on that night, you know. Anyone can be a great darts player, be a big scorer, but it comes to that game and you don't perform well, you're never going to come out on the other end." Against Taylor, everything came together. "I think everything just worked out fine that night."

Cadby was just 21 years old when he established himself in the eyes of the international darts audience. At the time, he had little idea of how significant the impact of his victory would be. "I still don't know what it felt like because that feeling, you know, I was only a kid, really. I was, well, 19 or 20 years of age. But yeah, I didn't know that it would go viral like it did."

The Australian explained that he had always been ambitious about testing himself against the best players in the world. "I always said that I want to play the biggest and the best player because, obviously, that's playing darts."

However, building a career in Europe had not initially been an obvious objective. "I always dreamed to play darts at a higher level, but I never ever thought about going to the UK," he admitted. "It's just crazy that there's a different side of the world, you know. It takes forever to fly out of Australia."

Cadby later secured a PDC Tour Card through Q-School, giving him the opportunity to compete regularly on the professional circuit. However, he was unable to make the most of that opportunity. After winning his Tour Card, Cadby returned to Australia despite discussions about remaining in the United Kingdom. Looking back, he considers that decision a significant turning point. "Well, I probably should never have come back to Australia, to be honest."

The darts player acknowledged that his drug addiction played a major role in his decision. "There was talk with you and Mac at that stage of, instead of coming back to Australia, to go back to the UK. And I wasn't down for that because I was a drug addict at that stage and I just wanted to get home to party."

Cadby revealed that he was not in good physical condition even during his appearance at Q-School. "Well, put it this way, I had a lot of practice, don't get me wrong, because there was a lot of nights up. And to talk about it now, I'm a bit disgraced. But I am who I am and I've managed to come out on the better side."

The Australian explained that he slept almost continuously during the long journey to Germany. "When I went to the airport, I think it was like a 36-hour flight or something, I slept. I basically slept from one airport to the other airport and then the big sleep, and I woke up and before you knew it, I was in Germany."

"Obviously, there was a couple of break flights where I had to stop at airports, but other than that, I slept. So I was probably in recovery. Didn't feel real good. As you know, I didn't really want to party after the fact of getting a Tour Card. I just wanted to sleep."

After years in which his name predominantly made headlines because of problems away from the oche, Cadby now wants to attract attention for his performances once again. His return to the ADA Tour in 2027 will give him another opportunity to compete.

Cadby understands that his past has raised questions among darts fans. During the interview, he was confronted with criticism from those who believe he does not deserve another opportunity. "Well, it's a good question really. I do deserve it," he responded, before acknowledging his previous mistakes. "I've stuffed up more than once, probably more than twice."

According to Cadby, his personal circumstances have now changed. He has served his prison sentence, reunited with his family and is expecting the birth of a son. "I've also done my time as well and I'm back on the straight and narrow now, got back with my family, got a baby boy on the way."

The former UK Open finalist is therefore determined to make the most of his opportunity to return to competitive darts. "I believe that I deserve the chance and I've been given the chance. So I'm going to take it as it comes, yeah."