Footy world melts down over Swan Peter Ladhams’ ‘worst kick ever’
Journeyman Peter Ladhams has been roasted across the footy world for a shot on goal universally declared one of the worst in history.
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The footy world erupted with laughter and derision at Sydney journeyman Peter Ladhams’ attempted set shot during their 65-point belting of North Melbourne on Saturday night.
The 27-year-old ruckman has spent nine seasons in the AFL with Port Adelaide and the Swans and played a grand total of 54 matches.
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Prior to the match-up with the Roos, which the Swans claimed 18.9 (117) to 8.4 (52), Ladhams was perhaps best known for his crude hit off the ball in a VFL final back in 2022 that led to a three-week ban.
Watch that incident in the video player below
He was also handed a three-match ban for breaking Covid protocols back in 2020.
But he now has a rival for those ignominious moments for his effort after the halftime siren had sounded in Melbourne.
It all looked good when Ladhams took a strong contested mark in the forward 50m after a penetrating kick from Sydney’s Isaac Heeney.
Sporting tattoos and an impressive mullet-moustache combo, the 202cm giant was getting some wraps from commentator Dwayne Russell as he prepared to kick for goal.
“He is a survival story if you’ve ever heard one,” Russell said.
“Only one AFL game last season and that was the 112-point loss to Port in round 21.
“Here he is vying for the No. 1 ruck spot for the Swans the way he’s playing. Huge moment to end the half.”
That’s when it all went wrong as Ladhams shanked the ball horribly and could only watch as it flew far left of the uprights.
“Oh my goodness,” Russell reacted. “He nearly missed it completely. It’s almost in the carpark.”
Ladhams at least had a sheepish smirk on his face, with Garry Lyon adding: “He sees the funny side of it.”
You couldn’t really do much else but laugh, although some of the players didn’t see the funny side as a brief melee broke out on the ground after the kick.
So it was left to the footy world to react to a contender for the worst set shot in VFL/AFL history.
Footy journalist Rohan Connolly wrote on X: “Peter Ladhams might have just had the worst shot for goal in AFL history!”
Fellow reporter Ronny Lerner tweeted: “One of the worst set shots I’ve ever seen from Ladhams.”
SuperCoach guru Jock Reynolds wrote: “Peter Ladhams. I just spat a mouthful of chicken parma/Hahn super dry all over the television. Nothing funnier than watching someone fail ridiculously on national television.”
An account titled Americans Watch The Footy suggested: “You can hate some players because they’re genuinely bad people. Ladhams is not one of those. He’s just fun to hate and I think he embraces it. That kick was absolutely beautiful.”
Across his five seasons on the Power list, Ladhams’ best contribution was 17 matches in the 2021 season, shortly before he was traded to the Harbour City.
He played 11 matches in his first season in Sydney before his brain explosion for the reserves, selected for just the one game in each year since.
A few fans watching on had different reactions to the attempted set shot.
One wrote: “Bruh Ladhams absolutely shanked that lmao. Worst set shot I’ve ever seen.”
Another said: “Thank you Ladhams I needed a good laugh.”
A third wrote: “I love you Pete Ladhams, never change king.”
A fourth added: “Sorry Ladhams that’s not funny it’s damn embarrassing!”
The victory improved Sydney to 2-2 for the season, while the Roos dropped their third match from four attempts so far.
Originally published as Footy world melts down over Swan Peter Ladhams’ ‘worst kick ever’
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