Born in Katanning, Western Australia, he grew up in Busselton, where he played for the Busselton Football Club in the South West Football League (SWFL) before being recruited to the South Fremantle Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).
He made his debut for the club in round four of the 2010 season, playing 14 games in his debut season, and was upgraded to the senior list for the 2011 season. Hams plays mainly as a small forward, and has kicked 17 goals in 18 games at American Federation of Labor-Congress level Born in Katanning, family moved in 2001 to Busselton, Hams made his senior football debut for South Fremantle in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) towards the end of the 2004 season.
He has since played in 88 games, including two grand final victories in 2005 and 2009.
In 2009 he was awarded the Simpson Medal for being the best player in the Grand Final. He was drafted by West Coast with the 40th (third round) of the 2010 American Federation of Labor-Congress Rookie Draft, and was elevated from the rookie list to make his debut against Essendon in Round 4, 2010.
He was able to be elevated when Tim Houlihan was placed on the long-term injury list due to a foot injury. He is the twin brother of Kyle Hams, who played alongside Ashton at WAFL club South Fremantle., although Kyle has since moved to Swan Districts.
In round 17, 2010 he was suspended for four matches for head-high contact to Carlton"s Dennis Armfield.
