Brayden Ham Explained

Brayden Ham
Nickname:The Don
Birth Date:25 April 1999
Originalteam:Geelong Falcons (TAC Cup)
Draftpick:No. 72, 2018 national draft
Debutdate:Round 5, 2019
Debutstadium:Marvel Stadium
Height:181 cm
Weight:70 kg
Position:Wing / Small Forward
Guernsey:33
Years1:2019–2022
Games Goals1:45 (9)
Statsend:2022

Brayden “sutto” Ham (born 25 April 1999) is an Australian rules footballer who last played for in the Australian Football League (AFL). In his junior career in the TAC Cup he played many positions, before he was selected by Essendon with pick 72 in the 2018 national draft. Ham made his debut in round 5 of the 2019 season.

Junior career

From Torquay, Victoria, Ham played junior football in the 2018 TAC Cup for the Geelong Falcons as an over-aged player. He played in a variety of positions: becoming a forward after starting the season in the midfield, and sometimes playing as a defender. Ham finished second in the Falcons' best and fairest behind Sam Walsh, kicking 22 goals in 16 matches.[1] He attended the state[2] AFL draft combine and performed strongly in the endurance and sprint tests.

AFL career

Ham was selected by Essendon with pick 72 in the 2018 national draft. He made his debut in round 5 of the 2019 season against as a late replacement for David Zaharakis, who had an infected cut on his knee.[3] Ham finished 2019 having played 5 senior AFL matches, including an elimination final. He kicked 3 AFL goals for the year.[4]

Ham played 10 senior matches in the 2020 season, bringing his career total to 15.

Personal life

Ham studied sports science at university in 2018 but "didn’t think it was really for [him]".[5] His two brothers are both involved in the Geelong Falcons development program.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Trantino . Julian . Pick 72: Brayden Ham . 16 August 2019 . essendonfc.com.au . . 23 November 2018.
  2. News: Medium forwards named for AFL Draft Combine . 16 August 2019 . AFL.com.au . . 13 September 2018.
  3. News: Cleary . Mitch . Dons selection stunner, Clarke out with calf bleed . 16 August 2019 . AFL.com.au . . 19 April 2019.
  4. Web site: Season review: Brayden Ham. Walsh. Conor. essendonfc.com.au. 3 October 2019. 4 July 2020.
  5. News: Trantino . Julian . Worth the wait for Ham . 16 August 2019 . essendonfc.com.au . . 27 November 2018.
  6. News: Ryan . Peter . The Ham family have a habit of bobbing up on big days . 16 August 2019 . . . 23 April 2019.