Young Bomber Brayden Ham says gaining finals experience in 2019 has put him in good stead for his second year in the red and black.

Ham has put together a strong pre-season, performing well in the club’s recent practice match against Melbourne before playing a starring role in the side’s Marsh Community Series victory over West Coast last week.

He gathered 16 disposals, eight contested possessions, 397 metres gained and six clearances against the Eagles, impressing with his class and athleticism along the wings.

The 20-year-old played just his fifth AFL game in last year’s elimination final against the Eagles in front of 59,216 passionate fans and he said he enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere.

“That final was an amazing experience, running out with a very hostile crowd – (the Eagles) probably had 90 per cent of the fans there – it was awesome to get that experience and get a nice boo walking out,” Ham said on Coast FM on Thursday.

“Obviously that’s under my belt now and I’ll be able to learn from that and take some experience from some of the better wingers, half-backs and half-forwards of the competition through the West Coast Eagles.”

Ham says he is looking forward to getting back to his roots when the Dons take on Geelong in the Powercor Country Festival Marsh Community Series Game in Colac on Monday.

He was no stranger to Central Reserve growing up, often making the trek west from his hometown of Torquay when working his way through the junior football system, and the second-year Bomber is excited to get a chance to return to a familiar routine next week.

“I played there a fair bit through the junior years and I’ll actually be able to stay back home before the game, which is nice.

“I haven’t done that before in the AFL system, so hopefully I’ll get a home-cooked meal from Mum before the game and drive up there.

“(Growing up) we’d often have an 8am game in Colac, which was an hour from Torquay, so we were waking up at 5:30am to play a game of football at 8am, often kicking the dew off the ground for the senior boys later on in the day.

“It will be nice to change that around a bit.”

Essendon’s first home and away game is a little over a fortnight away and Ham said the squad is ready to sink its teeth into the season on March 21 against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.

“We’ve all been primed and ready to go for about a month now.

“We had a good hit-out last week and the week before as well and now everyone’s starting to build back.”