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

 

[Ed_Gein]

Good luck to him.

Probably the most divisive player we've had that I can think of. Felt like people thought he was useless or a fantastic role player, with nothing in between.

It'll probably be the same at Carlton lol

 

[GoulburnSwan]

Really annoyed that Wills been traded. He stepped up when others didn’t. All the best at Carlton.

 

[RilesMacca]

Will miss him, hard working diligent player who could turn a game around through a 5 minute burst. Streets won't forget how good he was when wearing a head bandage

 

[MF]

Good luck to him.

Probably the most divisive player we've had that I can think of. Felt like people thought he was useless or a fantastic role player, with nothing in between.

It'll probably be the same at Carlton lol

He's no Sam Reid in that regard but he was close.

I'll really miss this guy. I never considered him one of our top 5-10 players but he was always one of my favourites and I feel was unfairly criticised much of the time.

Always worked hard and often stepped up in big moments. Especially in the 2nd half of this season when we kicked some big goals and laid some huge tackles at important times to turn the tide.

All the best Will.

 

[bloodsbigot]

Well, thanks for your service I guess. But I'll never understand the hype around this guy. Distinctly remember him losing a bunch of games singlehandedly with his wayward kicking. Not as bad as amartey mind you, but he's supposed to be this big elite kick. Also goes missing quite a bit albeit a few tackles and junktime goals to make his average look okay.

People often say it's because he's playing in a tough position, but yeah sorry, I'm not buying it. I just think he's not that good.

Dream come true scenario for me. Got rid of Hayward and brought in a good power forward.

Good luck at Carlton Will. It's been a doozy.

 

[MF]

Well, thanks for your service I guess. But I'll never understand the hype around this guy. Distinctly remember him losing a bunch of games singlehandedly with his wayward kicking. Not as bad as amartey mind you, but he's supposed to be this big elite kick. Also goes missing quite a bit albeit a few tackles and junktime goals to make his average look okay.

People often say it's because he's playing in a tough position, but yeah sorry, I'm not buying it. I just think he's not that good.

Dream come true scenario for me. Got rid of Hayward and brought in a good power forward.

Good luck at Carlton Will. It's been a doozy.

I think his wayward kicking is overblown. He had a couple of really poor periods through his career where he seemed to have the yips but despite this he was still one of the most accurate forwards in the game and the stats back that up I believe.

(There ya go Will. I stuck up for you one last time)

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Underrated sad to see him go

Yep was hoping maybe we could just use the 3 first rounders but they really wanted Hayward.

 

[ashep]

Heart and soul player. Worked his arse off and is intrinsically linked to our current generation.

Very difficult to see him go.

 

[RaZoRBlad3]

Gun, sad to see him go.

 

[J_Moore]

I think he was a victim of being close friends with Florent

No, Hayward is good and that’s why Carlton wanted him. Florent was the steak knives!

 

[Millky95]

No, Hayward is good and that’s why Carlton wanted him. Florent was the steak knives!

They both fit needs of Carlton's list

 

[Olian]

Disappointing to see him go. Consistent performer over a long time.

 

[Tedeski]

Will & Ollie will be good for Blues. Will miss them both.

 

[Jack2Jack]

Disappointed to lose him and he leaves a big hole imo, bigger loss than ppl will give credit for. Goals and pressure, and was always good for a quality reliving mark up the ground (sometimes at important moments). Always gave effort defensively unlike some. Some others going to have to lift their defensive game big time.
Probably the saddest I've been to see a player go since my all time favourite the great JPK retired.....and I don't know why, cursed Haywards name plenty of times, and don't have him anywhere near JPK on my all timer list, but weirdly attached to him for some reason.

 

[Ed_Gein]

He's no Sam Reid in that regard but he was close.

I'll really miss this guy. I never considered him one of our top 5-10 players but he was always one of my favourites and I feel was unfairly criticised much of the time.

Always worked hard and often stepped up in big moments. Especially in the 2nd half of this season when we kicked some big goals and laid some huge tackles at important times to turn the tide.

All the best Will.

Yup, Hayward has always been a good role player for us. But he did have his poor, quiet games that we got on his back over - especially in a loss, but we could overlook it overall because we've always been successful. I just wonder how the fans at Carlton will fare towards Hayward when they will more likely be losing more than they win

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

One of my favorite Swans. Maybe my favorite. Very, very hard to see him traded even if I understand why.

I’ll be watching some of his games at Carlton if he turns it on.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Disappointed to lose him and he leaves a big hole imo, bigger loss than ppl will give credit for. Goals and pressure, and was always good for a quality reliving mark up the ground (sometimes at important moments). Always gave effort defensively unlike some. Some others going to have to lift their defensive game big time.
Probably the saddest I've been to see a player go since my all time favourite the great JPK retired.....and I don't know why, cursed Haywards name plenty of times, and don't have him anywhere near JPK on my all timer list, but weirdly attached to him for some reason.

I think moving on Wilbur and Oli is a significant moment in the end of the Longmire era. These two were absolute favourites of his to the point where they were like sons to him from the moment they arrived as 18 year old. Both also were clearly invested in the club and played good footy, helping us to 2 grand finals. It feels like the club is saying the Longmire era is over and its now under new management. A little melodramatic I know, but this situation reminds me of when a new male Lion takes over a pride and kills the offspring of the old king.

For those of us who look back on the Horse era as a positive, its a pretty tough time. It will take a bit of time to process and will be very strange to see Wilbur and Oli run out in Catlton colours in 2026.

And for the record, I understand what the club is trying to achieve and hope it all pays off.

 

[Jewelsbon]

Foxy and now Will and Ollie
Big Cox is playing with my heart.....


Praise be jebus that Rowie dug his heels in

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Foxy and now Will and Ollie
Big Cox is playing with my heart.....


Praise be jebus that Rowie dug his heels in

And Parker the season before. That really stung too.

 

[zyzzbruh]

Disappointed to lose him and he leaves a big hole imo, bigger loss than ppl will give credit for. Goals and pressure, and was always good for a quality reliving mark up the ground (sometimes at important moments). Always gave effort defensively unlike some. Some others going to have to lift their defensive game big time.
Probably the saddest I've been to see a player go since my all time favourite the great JPK retired.....and I don't know why, cursed Haywards name plenty of times, and don't have him anywhere near JPK on my all timer list, but weirdly attached to him for some reason.

I'm in the same boat, still doesn't feel real.

I know people bang on about his patchiness, but i've lost count of the amount of times he had those golden moments of desperation at important moments of a game, whether it's taking a relieving contested grab in a disadvantageous situation, or scrapping for a goal or an assist when we desperately need one.

Someone has to step up big time otherwise we will miss Wilbur, and when we do miss him it won't be as obvious at some think, which makes me sad because i rekn we won't appreciate him as much as we should.

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

 

[Jeffers]

 

[Jeffers]

I guess he wouldn’t thank Cox lol

 

[The King!]

Was a horse favourite it seemed, I don't think we used him well, I suspect he will be better for the change

 

[Crust]

Lot of love and support from his (former) teammates. I only scrolled so far but includes
Buddy
Tom Hickey
Haydos
Paps
Chad
Heens
Tom and Paddy Mccartin
Bice
Riak

and i’ve probably missed some.