Will Hayes (born 5 June 1995) is an Australian rules footballer who formerly played for the Western Bulldogs and the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
| Will Hayes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 5 June 1995 | ||
| Original team(s) | Footscray VFL/Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | No. 78 in the 2018 national draft | ||
| Debut | 21 April 2019, Western Bulldogs vs. Carlton, at Docklands | ||
| Height | 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Weight | 77 kg (170 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Other occupation | Horse trainer | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Carlton | ||
| Playing career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2019–2021 | Western Bulldogs | 11 (4) | |
| 2022 | Carlton | 2 (0) | |
| Total | 13 (4) | ||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early career edit
After failing to get drafted, Hayes joined Footscray in 2014. Hard work and steady improvement saw him play in the 2016 VFL premiership team and then in 2018 he won his club's best and fairest. He spent five seasons with the Bulldogs before his hard work and consistency had the Western Bulldogs select him in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.
AFL career edit
He was selected at pick #78 in the 2018 national draft.[1] He made his senior debut against Carlton[2] in round 5 of the 2019 season.
After 11 games in 3 years Hayes was delisted at the conclusion of the 2021 AFL season. He joined the Carlton Football Club's reserves team in 2022, and his career was given a lifeline when Carlton selected him in the 2022 mid season draft.[3] He played two senior matches in the latter half of the 2022 season before again being delisted.[4]
Personal life edit
He graduated from Melbourne Grammar School in 2013 alongside close friend and fellow footballer Zach Merrett.[5] He is the son of racehorse trainer David Hayes.[6] Hayes studied a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University,[7] and now works at Flemington Racecourse.
References edit
- ^ Sutton, Ben (18 April 2019), "Dogs defender, son of famous horse trainer to debut", AFL
- ^ Gabelich, Josh (21 April 2019), "AFL 2019: Western Bulldogs mature-age recruit Will Hayes takes the long route to the AFL", Fox Sports
- ^ "Will Hayes' Carlton journey continues as mid-season rookie".
- ^ "Carlton makes further list changes". Carlton Football Club. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "3am alarms and life at Sha Tin: New Western Bulldogs recruit Will Hayes has travelled far and wide for this chance". 30 November 2018.
- ^ Cormick, Brendan (20 April 2019), "AFL 2019: Western Bulldogs mature-age recruit Will Hayes takes the long route to the AFL", The Australian
- ^ "Elite Athlete Program Profiles". Deakin University. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
External links edit
- Will Hayes's profile on the official website of the Western Bulldogs
- Will Hayes from AFL Tables