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Hayes sets mark
07 January 2003 Herald Sun
By MARK STEVENS
LENNY Hayes is the bolter in the race for the St Kilda captaincy.
The midfielder, 23 next week, has impressed coach Grant Thomas so much in recent months that it is clearly no longer a two-way fight between Aaron Hamill and Andrew Thompson for the position.
Under the Saints' radical rotation system, Hayes would hold the job for one year if successful.
Hayes' leadership skills have blossomed in the main pre-season training group, filling the void left by the absence of senior trio Thompson, Robert Harvey and Nathan Burke.
With the older group on a modified program, Thomas said yesterday Hayes had been an inspiration.
"Without doubt he is up there ... he's really set the benchmark," Thomas said. "He has just been so conscientious. There is a real work ethic and determination to prove himself. He's got all the attributes of leadership ... he's an extremely humble man and very embracing of his teammates."
Thomas said the rotational captaincy idea had fast-tracked Hayes' development.
"Lenny's had to stand up and that's the sole reason we've embarked on the process of captaincy we have," he said.
""I'm not certain under another system he would've stuck his head up like he has."
The Saints will announce their skipper next month.
Hayes played 20 matches last season for a career total of 71. He was only narrowly pipped by Nick Riewoldt for the club's best-and-fairest.
"His effort at the footy and man with footy was exceptional," Thomas said. "But I know he's not satisfied. He wants to take his footy to another level."
Harvey, Burke, Thompson, Justin Peckett, Matthew Capuano and Fraser Gehrig, all on cross-training programs before Christmas, re-joined the main group yesterday for the Saints' first session of the new year. The Saints' main injury concern is ruckman Trent Knobel, who is fighting a chronic knee injury.
Knobel has patella soreness and will not be rushed back.
There are no guarantees he will be ready for Round 1, meaning another injury to No. 1 ruckman Capuano would be a painful blow.
07 January 2003 Herald Sun
By MARK STEVENS
LENNY Hayes is the bolter in the race for the St Kilda captaincy.
The midfielder, 23 next week, has impressed coach Grant Thomas so much in recent months that it is clearly no longer a two-way fight between Aaron Hamill and Andrew Thompson for the position.
Under the Saints' radical rotation system, Hayes would hold the job for one year if successful.
Hayes' leadership skills have blossomed in the main pre-season training group, filling the void left by the absence of senior trio Thompson, Robert Harvey and Nathan Burke.
With the older group on a modified program, Thomas said yesterday Hayes had been an inspiration.
"Without doubt he is up there ... he's really set the benchmark," Thomas said. "He has just been so conscientious. There is a real work ethic and determination to prove himself. He's got all the attributes of leadership ... he's an extremely humble man and very embracing of his teammates."
Thomas said the rotational captaincy idea had fast-tracked Hayes' development.
"Lenny's had to stand up and that's the sole reason we've embarked on the process of captaincy we have," he said.
""I'm not certain under another system he would've stuck his head up like he has."
The Saints will announce their skipper next month.
Hayes played 20 matches last season for a career total of 71. He was only narrowly pipped by Nick Riewoldt for the club's best-and-fairest.
"His effort at the footy and man with footy was exceptional," Thomas said. "But I know he's not satisfied. He wants to take his footy to another level."
Harvey, Burke, Thompson, Justin Peckett, Matthew Capuano and Fraser Gehrig, all on cross-training programs before Christmas, re-joined the main group yesterday for the Saints' first session of the new year. The Saints' main injury concern is ruckman Trent Knobel, who is fighting a chronic knee injury.
Knobel has patella soreness and will not be rushed back.
There are no guarantees he will be ready for Round 1, meaning another injury to No. 1 ruckman Capuano would be a painful blow.
