Sydney Swans young gun Montana Ham has been named the AFLW's Round 4 Rising Star nominee.
The 18-year old returned to action on Saturday after being sidelined with a knee strain for the previous two weeks and was a standout performer for the Swans, who were defeated by Port Adelaide.
The number one draft pick topped the Swans disposals with 20 in just her second AFLW game and looked energetic and classy at every contest.
Sydney Swans Head Coach Scott Gowans said Ham "showed the way" for the Swans in her return from injury in Round One.
"She is going to be a really good player," Gowans said.
"Her post clearance work and ability to break contest was excellent. It's a good thing for the competition that we have a player like Montana playing, especially so well early on, it gives the fans something to come and watch."
Ham was taken with the first pick in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft from the Western Jets. The 180cm midfielder received All-Australian honours and was named Vic Metro MVP in the NAB League earlier this year.She was also judged MVP for the National AFLW Academy side in their game against the U23 All-Stars.
Rd 2 Moment of the Round, presented by Bird in Hand
— Sydney Swans AFLW (@SydneySwansAFLW) September 5, 2022
So good to see Montana Ham there at Victoria park to support her team-mates ❤️#Bloods pic.twitter.com/Rv3CSuRYex
Ham started playing junior football with Hillside Football Club before joining Keilor Football Club in the Essendon District Football League.
As part of her Rising Star nominatio, Keilor will receive a $1,000 cash NAB Club Recognition Award.
The overall winner of the NAB AFLW Rising Star will be announced at the 2022 W Awards.
All AFLW players under the age of 21 on 31 December 2022 and who have not previously been nominated as a Rising Star qualify for consideration for the award.
Each of the 20 NAB AFLW Rising Star nominees throughout the season will be awarded $500 prize money from NAB to acknowledge their great achievement.
The overall NAB AFLW Rising Star winner will be awarded $20,000 from NAB and a private banker to assist with securing their financial future.
Celebrating 20 years in partnership with the AFL, NAB is proud to support the development of female footballers throughout the country from NAB AFL Auskick through to the NAB AFLW Competition.
