Will Hayes (footballer)

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 (1995-06-05) 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
  • 2016 VFL premiership player
  • 2018 VFL team of the year
  • 2018 Footscray Best and fairest
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early career

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

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

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
  1. Sutton, Ben (18 April 2019), "Dogs defender, son of famous horse trainer to debut", AFL
  2. Gabelich, Josh (21 April 2019), "AFL 2019: Western Bulldogs mature-age recruit Will Hayes takes the long route to the AFL", Fox Sports
  3. "Will Hayes' Carlton journey continues as mid-season rookie".
  4. "Carlton makes further list changes". Carlton Football Club. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  5. "3am alarms and life at Sha Tin: New Western Bulldogs recruit Will Hayes has travelled far and wide for this chance". 30 November 2018.
  6. Cormick, Brendan (20 April 2019), "AFL 2019: Western Bulldogs mature-age recruit Will Hayes takes the long route to the AFL", The Australian
  7. "Elite Athlete Program Profiles". Deakin University. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
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