Northern Knights midfielder Ben Ham is our NAB League Player of the Week for Round 12. The top-ager had a day out on Saturday, amassing 34 disposals, seven marks, four inside 50s and three goals, as his side broke back onto the winners list with a 41-point victory over the Calder Cannons.

While beaten out by teammate Josh Hamilton for the most disposals (37), Ham ended up as the top goalkicker afield. His scores came at important times too, credited with the only two majors of the second quarter, and the first of Northern’s five in the third term.

The Knights dominated the stats sheet too, notching a whopping 406 disposals to Calder’s 287 in 25-minute flat quarters. It was no surprise then, to see Ham achieve season-highs for disposals, marks and goals in what was clearly his most prolific outing in the navy, black and white.

While representative squad members returned to the fold across the competition, Ham held off another mainstay in Geelong Falcons forward Tom Gillett for Player of the Week honours in Round 12. The latter also put up big numbers in his side’s win, booting six goals from 20 disposals and 10 marks.

Ham is the ninth 2004-born prospect to earn the nod this year, joining some esteemed company in doing so. He is the first Northern product to do so, and the seventh from a Metro region. His next chance to impress in Knights colours comes on July 23, as the region takes on Bendigo at Ikon Park.

2022 ROOKIE ME CENTRAL NAB LEAGUE BOYS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1: Jai Culley (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 2: Will Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 3: Elijah Tsatas (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 4: Harry Sheezel (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 5: Seth Campbell (Tasmania Devils)
Round 7: Lewis Hayes (Eastern Ranges)
Round 8: Taj Campbell-Farrell (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 9: Yuyu Ashwin (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 10: Cameron Mackenzie (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 11: Hamish Sinnott (GWV Rebels)
Round 12: BEN HAM (Northern Knights)