Kadwell was a St George junior but made his first grade debut for South Sydney in Round 14 of the 1938 season. In 1939, Kadwell played at five-eighth for Souths in the heavygrand final defeat byBalmain 33–4. In 1941, Kadwell joined Newtown but missed out on the 1943 grandfinal victory over North Sydney due to injury. In 1944, Newtown finished as minor premiers and played against Balmain in the grand final with Kadwell playing at halfback. Newtown lost the match 19-16 but as they finished first on the table at the end of the regular season, they were allowed to challenge for a rematch. The following week, Balmain defeated Newtown once more by a score of 12–8. Kadwell played one more season for Newtown and retired at the end of 1945.