IN our new series of Player Focuses, we are taking a specific look at one of the Rising Star nominees each week, and their nominee worthy performances.

This week’s focus is on young Swan Montana Ham, who was a shining light on an otherwise tough afternoon at Alberton for her Swans side.

Montana Ham stats vs Port Adelaide

Disposals: 20 (eight kicks and 12 handballs)
Marks: Four
Tackles: Five
Score: One behind

FIRST QUARTER

She spent much of the early part of the quarter on the outside of the contest and not really playing that in and under role. Unfortunately, her Swans team mates were often second to the ball which meant Ham could not touch the ball very often.

When she did get her hands on the pill, she was excellent at finding a team mate in space and she was really composed with the ball, both of which were hard to come by amongst the Swans team in the opening term.

She was also the first of the Swans to touch the ball multiple times, which was also a telling sign of the way things were going for Sydney.

SECOND QUARTER

Ham remained as that outside option in the second term, which appears to mean Sydney have decided to use her in a very different way compared to back in her junior days.

She also showed a lot of composure for her timing around when to pick up the ball and subsequently kick it, so much so that it appeared that she was actively aware of not giving away a free kick.

Her strong tackling ability and booming kick were also on full display in the second quarter.

THIRD QUARTER

She did not have as much influence on the ball in the third quarter as she did in the first half, but many of the positive aspects continued.

She continued to prove how good she is at finding the teammate in space and how physically strong she is in and around the ball.

This shows that the Swans made the right choice to use her as more of an outside player than in and under.

She did also kick a behind in the third quarter, which proved to be half of Sydney’s score for the afternoon.

FOURTH QUARTER

As things got tougher and tougher for the Swans in the final term, Ham continued to be one of very few shining stars for her team.

Her second efforts while tackling, and run and carry she was able to create was stellar, and she also took a really strong defensive mark.

However, despite all her good work it proved to be to not much avail as her Swans team mates did not rise with her.