GFNL contender St Mary’s looks set to benefit from Brayden Ham’s decision to step away from Geelong’s VFL program.
Ham, who played 45 AFL games with Essendon, spent last year with the Cats and was named vice-captain ahead of this season.
He played in Geelong’s first two home-and-away games before last weekend’s bye for the VFL’s clash with the SANFL.
“He wants to have a bit of a break from the VFL,” Saints co-coach Glenn Keast said.
“I know he’s had a few conversations with the Cats.
“We’re happy to have him on board if that’s what he chooses to do.”
Ham didn’t play in St Mary’s practice match win over Leopold at Deakin Uni on Saturday due to a hamstring issue.
However, Keast says the door is open for him to play in the Saints’ season-opener against Newtown & Chilwell at Elderslie Reserve.
“He trained last Thursday night and looked pretty good but felt that he wasn’t quite right,” Keast said.
“He planned all along to have that week off given the Cats’ bye, so he decided that’s what he’d do.”
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Ham last played with St Mary’s in 2017 while on the Geelong Falcons’ list.
The Bombers drafted the 24-year-old with pick 72 in the 2018 National Draft.
“He’s got lots of talent, obviously,” Keast said.
“We feel like he’ll start around half-back/wing. But, he can be used inside and down forward.
“I think he’s been playing quite a bit of footy with the Cats as a high half-forward.”
If Ham is available to take on the Towners, he would be among three key inclusions for St Mary’s from the team that exited the 2023 finals with conseuctive losses to grand finalists South Barwon and Leopold after finishing minor premier.
Myrtleford recruit Elijah Wales will play his first game for the Saints, while former Frankston and Glenelg ruck Nick Minchin’s availability will depend on Geelong VFL’s requirements.
