Ham off to flying start as a Saint

Former AFL player Brayden Ham made an impressive start to life as a senior footballer for St Mary’s.

The 45-game Essendon player, who decided to part ways with Geelong VFL after playing the first two games of the season, racked up a gamehigh 31 disposals, 11 contested possessions, seven inside-50s and 1.2 in the Saints’ win over Newtown & Chillwell.

Another former Cats VFL player also starred, with Harry Benson finishing with 29 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 10 tackles.

Newtown & Chillwell’s Braden Hocking was the top ranked player in that match, according to Premier Data, with 28 disposals, 14 intercepts, 11 rebound 50s and eight intercept marks.

Leopold captain Marcus Thompson was the top ranked player on the ground in his side’s win over Geelong West, tallying 24 disposals, 12 tackles and 10 inside 50s – and it could have been an even bigger game had he kicked straight, managing four behinds.

Logan Wagener backed up his best-on-ground display in the grand final with 32 disposals at an elite 91 per cent efficiency and 12 contested possessions, while the returning Jake Pitt (3.3, 20 disposals and 11 marks) and new recruit Oliver Tate (28 disposals, 12 marks) also shone.

For the Giants it was Tanner Lovell who led the way a gamehigh 33 disposals.

South Barwon star Jack Driver led the way for the Swans with a whopping 16 marks – eight of those intercepts – to go with 28 disposals and a goal.

Paddy Kelly (28 disposals, 14 contested possessions) made a strong debut for South Barwon as reigning Mathieson medallist Matt Caldow dominated up forward with 18 disposals, 12 marks, five contested marks, four goal assists and three majors.