Essendon initially recruited Ladhams, in the 1998 AFL draft, but in three seasons on their list wasn't able to break into the seniors.
[2] In the 2003 pre-season, Ladhams was a match-winner when he kicked a checkside goal from the left forward pocket to defeat rivals Port Adelaide in the dying seconds of their Wizard Cup encounter.
He spent much of the 2003 AFL season up forward and kicked 20 goals for the year but wasn't able to hold his spot in the team for the finals series.
[3] Ladhams added just six further games in 2004 but put in some good performances in the SANFL for North Adelaide, his original club, to win their "Best and Fairest".
He played for Nhill in 2009 and 2010, and spent the summer months in the Northern Territory where he made appearances for Nightcliff.