Chris25
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- Oct 30, 2007
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Jack Hayes
Height: 191cm
Weight: 88kg
From: Woodville West Torrens, South Australia
Position: Forward, Defender
Height: 191cm
Weight: 88kg
From: Woodville West Torrens, South Australia
Position: Forward, Defender
Jack Hayes from Woodville West Torrens in South Australia has had a really interesting 2014 season so far, on BigFooty at least. Coming into the season, there were people talking about him as a top 15 draft prospect and one of the best key forwards on offer. Fast forward a few months, and he isn't considered a top 60 prospect by those same people. So what happened? Has he had an awful season? Not at all, he's arguably been better and more consistent than in 2013. I think it's more a case of those people finally having seen him play, and they realised he isn't the type of player that reading the stats may make him appear to be. I wrote about it earlier in the season. Hayes had one massive game in the SANFL U18s last year playing up forward - 34 disposals, 17 marks and 7 inside 50s. I think some draft watchers developed a few misconceptions from that game. But, that just means that Hayes has gone from overrated to severely underrated. So lets fix that.
After mentioning that game, it's only right that I start with his form back home in the SANFL. That 34 disposal and 17 mark game was certainly his best, but just because he posted key forward numbers it doesn't mean he is a key forward. Last year, Hayes typically across half forward with some stints in both the midfield and the ruck. He was typically getting 15-20 touches and plenty of marks, but kicked just the 14 goals in his 11 games - with season highs of 3 goals in two matches. In 2014, Hayes has split his time between SANFL U18s, SANFL Reserves and the U18 Championships. In the U18s for Woodville, Hayes has again been playing across half forward and through the ruck. I'm not a big fan of him doing ruck work, because it's not something he'll be doing in the AFL so really it doesn't help his cause in terms of getting drafted. But, it does get him into the midfield and that I like. Just this weekend in his first game back after the Championships, Hayes finished the match with 24 disposals, 12 marks (6 of which were contested), 4 tackles, 12 hitouts, 7 inside 50s and 2 behinds. In the Reserves though, he has gotten to play his more customary half forward role though and his best game came against Port Adelaide with 12 touches, 8 marks (3 contested) and 2 goals. And I do think that is his best position, being able to roam around the half forward line - particularly with his contested marking game being so strong.
But for South Australia at the U18 Championships, things certainly changed for Hayes as he was moved into the back lines - and not as a rebounder. Partnering with the likes of Ramsey, Durdin and at times Wilkie, they were given the job of playing on the opposition key forwards. It was an interesting move, but it ended up being a good one. It probably didn't help Hayes' standing on BigFooty, as he only averaged 10 disposals across his games. But it added another string to his bow, and it was a position he certainly grew into as the Championships progressed.
Without a doubt in my mind, Hayes' biggest strength is his marking. He's probably one of the best contested marks in the draft, and it's why I prefer him across half forward. He is smart on the lead, and just has those sticky hands that you love to see. His vertical leap is also impressive, and no doubt helps him clunk these marks. That and his tackling game is why I think clubs will also like him as a forward. The likes of Chris Mayne and Tyson Goldsack might not touch the ball very often, but a third or fourth tall who can apply pressure and tackle hard is really valuable and it's almost becoming a specialised position. And just the overall versatility that Hayes offers is another big positive. Coming into the season, I was really keen on seeing him play as a big bodied midfielder - not in the ruck. He's got a good size to him, and has shown the ability to rack up the touches. It's still not out of the question that a club doesn't go down that path with him.
A big factor in his draft position this year, will be in regards to his testing at the Draft Combine. He doesn't have the big engine that you'd ideally want from someone like him, and he doesn't possess great top line speed or anything. Last year, he was probably average at best in both regards. I do think he has improved this year from what I've seen, the minutes in the ruck have probably helped. But there is still room to improve. Absolute best case as a half forward, you'd be looking at someone like Ryan O'Keefe - but the thing that made him so good was his work rate and endurance. And really, you need something to separate you from the pack when you're a strong marking third tall. There have been plenty of similar players who go undrafted, to late round prospects who can't quite break through like Brett O'Hanlon at Richmond. It may well end up being his versatility and no real 'football weaknesses' that is Hayes' saving grace.
I don't expect Jack Hayes to jump back into first round calculations, but anything from the third round and about pick 40/50 onwards should see him come into the mix. And in terms of comparisons, I'll throw out Andy Otten from Adelaide as the player. Similar sized, he is also sort of a third tall swingman who can go through the middle.
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