Past Will Hayward

[Kennedy Parker]

Will Hayward
Spritely Sydney Swans forward Will Hayward

19

Will Hayward

Age

27

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

9.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

9.4

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.4

5star

enjoyed a rocketing start to his career as he became the 11th-youngest player in the AFL era to reach 50 career goals in 2018. The 2016 draftee’s nippy pace and cunning goal awareness have made him a dangerous option in coach John Longmire’s forward line. A broken jaw and a persistent hip injury limited Hayward to just 12 goals in 13 senior games in 2019, but the South Australian is attacking the 2020 campaign on the back of his first full pre-season. Don’t be surprised if the exciting Swan finds himself on a wing this year.

Will Hayward

19

Will Hayward

Age

27

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

9.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

9.4

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.4

5star

DOB: 26 October 1998
DEBUT: 2017
DRAFT: #21, 2016 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: Walkerville (SA)/North Adelaide (SANFL)

Will Hayward | AFL

Follow Will Hayward's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[zyzzbruh]

I'm the same Gaze , Mooney etc are not funny

As much as I like Gazey, he definitely pushes it too far to the cringe end and probably ruins what the other panellists offer on that show. Otherwise Dunstall and Mooney are good value with a refreshing humour to seriousness ratio. Minus Gazey's antics i think the show has a place.

Anyways back to Hayward - we're a better team with him in it and i'm stoked he signed on and a shoe in to kick the first goal in our next GF whollopping.

 

[caesar88]

a shoe in to kick the first goal in our next GF whollopping.

This is not a bad shout.

First goals for us since 2022:

Hayward - 10
Amartey - 8
Heeney, Rowbottom - 6
McDonald, Franklin - 5
Wicks, Papley - 4

Three of Hayward's 10 came in finals, including both GFs.

 

[bedford]

This is not a bad shout.

First goals for us since 2022:

Hayward - 10
Amartey - 8
Heeney, Rowbottom - 6
McDonald, Franklin - 5
Wicks, Papley - 4

Three of Hayward's 10 came in finals, including both GFs.

And then he vanishes

 

[caesar88]

And then he vanishes

It does seem that way, but Hayward (and most quality medium forwards really) only averages a goal or two a game, so if you're scoring one of those goals in the first, say, ten minutes of the game then it can seem like he's gone nearly the whole game without contributing much, even if that is not the case.

 

[rustycrate]

And then he vanishes

Half forward for a medium forward is IMO the hardest position to shine in.
Smalls are all over the ball like a seagull on a chip, talls out mark you, mids come through and take all the glory.

Cunningham played half forward medium and was banished to the 2s. He sucked at it. Most do.

To have a player like Hayward consistently kick goals, get in scoring positions, tackle, create havoc and confusion, be that outlet on the fast rebound with his pace is a player ticking most boxes in the hardest position to stand out in the team. A lot of running is required. Gut running. You have to be behind the ball and in front of the ball and know when to do both.

To use the term "vanishes" is to not understand the position he plays or appreciate its difficulties.

 

[bloodsbigot]

I'm the biggest Hayward basher on Bigfooty, but my gut is telling me he'll have a very good year.

 

[bedford]

Half forward for a medium forward is IMO the hardest position to shine in.
Smalls are all over the ball like a seagull on a chip, talls out mark you, mids come through and take all the glory.

Cunningham played half forward medium and was banished to the 2s. He sucked at it. Most do.

To have a player like Hayward consistently kick goals, get in scoring positions, tackle, create havoc and confusion, be that outlet on the fast rebound with his pace is a player ticking most boxes in the hardest position to stand out in the team. A lot of running is required. Gut running. You have to be behind the ball and in front of the ball and know when to do both.

To use the term "vanishes" is to not understand the position he plays or appreciate its difficulties.

Don't worry i know after playing that position , the best thing that happened to me was the coach putting me to HB for a year , toughens you up and you understand HF better

 

[zyzzbruh]

Half forward for a medium forward is IMO the hardest position to shine in.
Smalls are all over the ball like a seagull on a chip, talls out mark you, mids come through and take all the glory.

Cunningham played half forward medium and was banished to the 2s. He sucked at it. Most do.

To have a player like Hayward consistently kick goals, get in scoring positions, tackle, create havoc and confusion, be that outlet on the fast rebound with his pace is a player ticking most boxes in the hardest position to stand out in the team. A lot of running is required. Gut running. You have to be behind the ball and in front of the ball and know when to do both.

To use the term "vanishes" is to not understand the position he plays or appreciate its difficulties.

Spot on. He'll drift in and out of games in terms of those obvious scoreboard contributions, but we can rest assured he's got the right attributes and attitude to play that role to the best of his capabilities, and I honestly can't think of a better player across the league that plays it better than he does. Not to mention he contributes well when pushing up the ground to be an outlet.

Some fans definitely undervalue him because they just don't understand the game beyond the clear and obvious, but take it to the bank he's one of the first names on the team sheet every week. For a coach, he's exactly the type of player you want.

It's no surprise that the revolving carousel of whipping boys are those that play the most difficult roles to shine in - wicks, jmac, jj, Lloyd, Campbell and florent are also a symptom of this. Also why i feel for Wicks when he's expected to star in a position where you are the 3rd medium hovering around the ark amongst 1st choice targets trying to crack in and appease the masses. People need to understand that their role is to just be there and hopefully manage a couple of games breaking plays a game.

 

[ashep]

A dozen other clubs would kill for this bloke.

 

[bedford]

A dozen other clubs would kill for this bloke.

Agree , he just frustrates me like Rohan did

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

A dozen other clubs would kill for this bloke.

Quite indeed the criticism he gets is baffling for the position he plays

 

[bedford]

Another dud performance for a highly paid player , had enough

 

[The King!]

How much is he paid


He was shocking tonight, he has no plan b, can’t go anywhere if he is struggling

 

[Dubai Quacker]

A bit Gary Rohan-esque tonight.

But at times through 2025, this board will be singing his praises after he does some really fine work.

A player who has some ordinary games in between very good ones.

 

[Collateral]

Who?

 

[bedford]

A bit Gary Rohan-esque tonight.

But at times through 2025, this board will be singing his praises after he does some really fine work.

A player who has some ordinary games in between very good ones.

Always been a Rohan , except even with a bad game he would kick a couple and didn't miss

 

[The King!]

Always been a Rohan , except even with a bad game he would kick a couple and didn't miss

lol heck me no he didn't , Hayward is ahead of Rohan in every statistic , yeah he sucked last night and I agree his poor games are literally 0 impact because he can't go midfield etc like say Papley.

But let's not suddenly pretend Gary Rohan was a superstar or Hayward is a dud

 

[caesar88]

I would take Will Hayward over Gary Rohan every day of the week, and I'd take a root canal over both of them.

 

[The King!]

Maybe he needs a kick in the ankle, he was on fire v Brisbane at the gabba once hurt

 

[rustycrate]

I would take Will Hayward over Gary Rohan every day of the week, and I'd take a root canal over both of them.

Name me 9 good half forwards playing today that you would replace Wayward with. I have chosen 9 because that is half the sides in the comp.

 

[bedford]

lol heck me no he didn't , Hayward is ahead of Rohan in every statistic , yeah he sucked last night and I agree his poor games are literally 0 impact because he can't go midfield etc like say Papley.

But let's not suddenly pretend Gary Rohan was a superstar or Hayward is a dud

WTF did i say he was a superstar

 

[The King!]

WTF did i say he was a superstar

Even in a bad game he kicked a couple? averaged a goal a game for his career

 

[bedford]

Even in a bad game he kicked a couple? averaged a goal a game for his career

Sometimes he kicked 2 from 5 touches , Wayward would miss those 2

 

[hairy biker]

Sometimes he kicked 2 from 5 touches , Wayward would miss those 2

Guess of our leading goalkickers who had the best accuracy last year?

Here's a list to help (goals/behinds)
Joel 43;26
Will 41;16
Logan 37;24
Tom 36;30
Chad 35;19
Issac 34;20
Haydos 27;19
Errol 15;16

Well blow me down 'Wayward' was our second highest and most accurate goalkicker.

But let me guess it doesn't include out of bounds, still doesn't do enough,ridiculous contract, only joking on nickname etc etc.

There are none so blind as those that will not see.

And yes he has stated slowly this season.

 

[bedford]

Guess of our leading goalkickers who had the best accuracy last year?

Here's a list to help (goals/behinds)
Joel 43;26
Will 41;16
Logan 37;24
Tom 36;30
Chad 35;19
Issac 34;20
Haydos 27;19
Errol 15;16

Well blow me down 'Wayward' was our second highest and most accurate goalkicker.

But let me guess it doesn't include out of bounds, still doesn't do enough,ridiculous contract, only joking on nickname etc etc.

There are none so blind as those that will not see.

And yes he has stated slowly this season.

Credit to him last year as his set shots were better , but has to work harder to get the ball for a start