North likes Ham in AFL mid-season draft

FORMER Torquay Tigers junior Charlie Ham has been elevated to the big time after being selected by North Melbourne in the AFL mid-season draft.

The Roos used their second pick (and the 16th pick overall) in last week’s draft to grab Ham, who also played juniors with St Mary’s before moving up into the Geelong Falcons.

Ham nominated for but was not selected in the 2020 NAB AFL draft in which AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan rated him as one of the top prospects, describing him as a small defender who took the game on and used the ball well on his classy left foot.

In an interview posted on North Melbourne’s website on Monday this week, Ham said he was already good mates with fellow first-year player and former Falcons team-mate Charlie Lazzaro, and had moved in with the same host family.

“I settled in there last night (Sunday), had a nice roast for dinner straight up, and ‘Laz’ was telling me all the stuff about the club, so he’s made me feel pretty comfortable,” he said in the interview.

“He’s (Lazzaro) a very professional player, so he’s a good one to get under his wing. I’ll follow him around everywhere and he can teach me from there.

“All the boys are legends. They got around me so well, just introducing themselves and having a little bit of conversation.”

“I was really comfortable seeing all the boys for the first time. There’s a good vibe already.”

North Melbourne list manager Glenn Luff said Ham’s best assets – his running capacity and ability to hit targets both long and short by foot – suited where the game was going and filled a need in the team.

“He will add a different dimension to our back half and we look forward to his development under the guidance of defensive coach John Blakey, and experienced campaigners in Robbie Tarrant, Aidan Corr and Luke McDonald.”

Charlie Ham is the brother of Essendon midfielder-forward Brayden Ham, who has been on the Bombers’ list since 2019.