GFNL 2024: Former Essendon player Brayden Ham joins St Mary’s as a full-time player as two more signings poised to play in round one

A last-minute decision has given a club full access to a former Essendon player. And two other quality additions are set to join him in round one.

Brayden Ham has joined St Mary’s full-time. Picture: Michael Klein

St Mary’s has received a major boost on the eve of the season, securing former Essendon playmaker Brayden Ham as a full-time player after he decided to forgo his VFL commitments with Geelong.

Ham, 24, spent last year with Geelong’s VFL program after being delisted by the Bombers at the end of 2022, with injury restricting him to 12 games for the Cats in that season.

The 45-game Bomber has been affiliated to St Mary’s since 2023 and was named as part of Geelong’s VFL list this season, enjoying a strong pre-season and playing the first two games of their campaign.

But a late change of heart will see him head back to the Geelong Football Netball League to St Mary’s, the club he spent one year as a junior in 2016 after moving from Torquay.

Ham broke through for a senior debut that season and will play his first game in eight years in Saints colours against Newtown & Chillwell in their season-opener on Saturday.

He is poised to do so alongside his former Cats VFL teammate Nic Minchin — a 200cm ruckman who crossed to the Cats over the pre-season after playing nine games for Frankston last year — and Geelong Falcons graduate Michael Rudd.

St Mary’s co-coach Luke Rayner said he was “really excited” to have Ham on-board and his decision couldn’t have come at a better time for the club.

Brayden Ham played 45-games for the Bombers. Picture: Michael Klein

“It is something Brayden individually came to a conclusion that he perhaps wasn’t enjoying his time, maybe it wasn’t what he was hoping it would be in terms of the current season and how it had been playing out for him,” Rayner said.

“He’s got a really good connection with our club, with a lot of our players, so I think he is looking forward to coming back and enjoying th mateship and hopefully enjoying the surrounds of our club.

“He has played at the highest level, he has been involved in the Cats program all of pre-season so he is fit and he’s healthy. He’s raring to go, so it is obviously a very healthy addition to our list, in particular with the timing of the decision.”

Both Minchin and Rudd, who is part of Carlton’s VFL program but is yet to feature this season, will play with the Saints this weekend barring a VFL call-up.

That appears unlikely for Minchin given Geelong veteran Rhys Stanley is set to play his 200th game this weekend.

Anakie sensation Ajang Kuol mun is seemingly ahead in the ruck queue at Geelong VFL after getting the nod while Toby Conway was elevated to the seniors for the Cats’ win over Hawthorn on Easter Monday.

Rudd, a Saints junior, has been trialled as a defender at the Blues after being overlooked in last year’s AFL Draft despite interest from several clubs.

Rayner expects both to be handy additions for the Saints when they aren’t playing VFL.

Michael Rudd was on the radar of AFL clubs. Picture: Alison Wynd

“He’s (Minchin) been super, terrific character. Obviously has played at a good level and for us losing Nick Nott to retirement at the end of last year, having not played too many games, it probably left us a bit short in the ruck stocks,” Rayner said.

“Sam Christensen did a super job and will continue to be an option in there for us as well, but Nick brings in some experience and obviously another player on our list who can play in the ruck.

“He’s a real competitor which is great so I think he is going to be a great addition for our club whenever we do see him.

“As a Falcons captain and a terrific young man he (Rudd) has got great character and he is a really bubbly personality, got plenty of energy, will do anything for you.

“He adds versatility based on his size, agility and adaptability so he can play forward or back in our view and we’re probably fortunate to have a couple of players who can do that.”

Rudd headlines a group of emerging Saints who Rayner is eager to give opportunities to, including 2023 St Mary’s reserves premiership players Luke Bartolo, Elliot MacDonald, Hamish Bourke, Noah Biggs, Ty Williams and Charlie Vallelonga.

“There is a really strong cohort of 19 to probably 22-year-olds and I think they will all at some stage get an opportunity to play,” Rayner said.

“I think if you look at our list now we have only got one player over 30 years old. So it is good to have a young, healthy, local, committed list that can train fairly consistently and get opportunities on game day. “

Originally published as GFNL 2024: Former Essendon player Brayden Ham joins St Mary’s as a full-time player as two more signings poised to play in round one