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

 

[Angry Red Bull]

Was pretty quick to sign an extension. I reckon he loves it at the swans. I have no doubts he will be a one club player. Just has loyalty written all over him.

Smart logic by the club to assess these new recruits early and commit them to extensions presumably on same minimums. The euphoria of just being on a list will motivate them to sign.

 

[grimlock]

Ryan almost broke the record for intercept marks in a game.

But is he the coach's pet? I feel this may be the deciding factor

 

[S120]

But is he the coach's pet? I feel this may be the deciding factor

Yeh I heard a whisper about that on Friday night. Surprised the commentators didn't harp on about it incessantly tbh.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Hayward has come on even more than a few of us who were pumped could have ever imagined.

Bloody oath he has. Highlight of the year so far has been seeing him, Melican & Newman grab & hold their spots this year. Adding your Papley, Hewett & Naisys to that & I'm so impressed with where our club sits for the next 5 years.

 

[Ticky009]

I thought he'd dropped a bit of form before he went out injured, which is common for a first year. Had a chance to freshen up and has come back through NEAFL looking fantastic.

 

[Tuco]

On the coverage they said he hired his own personal trainer to help beef up his general fitness (which had been a knock on him when he first arrived).

That is excellent committment , especially so esrly in a career.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

On the coverage they said he hired his own personal trainer to help beef up his general fitness (which had been a knock on him when he first arrived).

That is excellent committment , especially so esrly in a career.

He did that before he got drafted. Had a meeting with the club a way out from the draft who said if he wanted to be drafted he'd have to improve his fitness/endurace/strength & wasn't likely to be picked... He went & got a PT & obviously the club loved that inititive & drive & picked him.

 

[BloodySwan]

He did that before he got drafted. Had a meeting with the club a way out from the draft who said if he wanted to be drafted he'd have to improve his fitness/endurace/strength & wasn't likely to be picked... He went & got a PT & obviously the club loved that inititive & drive & picked him.

That makes more sense. Every club has their own trainers who are focused on diet, etc. I don't think the Swans would be thrilled if Hayward went against the clubs doctor and got his own

 

[Tuco]

He did that before he got drafted. Had a meeting with the club a way out from the draft who said if he wanted to be drafted he'd have to improve his fitness/endurace/strength & wasn't likely to be picked... He went & got a PT & obviously the club loved that inititive & drive & picked him.

Awesome

 

[Tuco]

That makes more sense. Every club has their own trainers who are focused on diet, etc. I don't think the Swans would be thrilled if Hayward went against the clubs doctor and got his own

Yep. Reminds me of Mitch Morton doing that off season work before arriving at the Swans.

 

[AJApprentice]

I know he's a medium forward, but Do you guys think Will Hayward plays more of a crumming Tom Papley-type role, or a third tall forward, Jack Gunston-esque role?

 

[Tuco]

I know he's a medium forward, but Do you guys think Will Hayward plays more of a crumming Tom Papley-type role, or a third tall forward, Jack Gunston-esque role?

I think the latter is where I hope he ends up. Bit hard with Rohan and Reid ahead of him there. But his marking game and goal sense is excellent though.

But his pressure and tackling is certainly a feature now.

 

[Kirkswan]

I know he's a medium forward, but Do you guys think Will Hayward plays more of a crummWing Tom Papley-type role, or a third tall forward, Jack Gunston-esque role?

Welcome!

 

[Sketi]

Thought it was pretty clear from the videos in the OP that this kid has the goods. Wasn't expecting such an impact in his first year though..!

 

[The King!]

Interesting to see what issac cumming does

 

[Punts]

I think he can become more than just a medium forward

He could have spurts in the midfield with his pace and knowledge of the game

 

[Kennedy Parker]

I know he's a medium forward, but Do you guys think Will Hayward plays more of a crumming Tom Papley-type role, or a third tall forward, Jack Gunston-esque role?

Welcome to the madhouse that is Bigfooty.

Currently I would say Hayward resembles more of Jack Gunston style marking forward as he's quick off the mark and very strong overhead with his hands. He tends to get most of his shots on goal through winning a marking contest 1v1 inside 50, although he can crumb as well. He has decent speed, handles the ball cleanly, good kick, applies pressure, and strong in the marking contest. If he bulks up and is able to win his own ball more often I can see him playing in any part of the ground down the track as his skill set is quite transferrable.

 

[Superstar swan]

For him to be playing so well as a forward this young and with his body (or lack thereof) shows how good this guy is...a pure footballer...what is frustrating me is that i cant work out what sort of player he will be.

 

[The King!]

For him to be playing so well as a forward this young and with his body (or lack thereof) shows how good this guy is...a pure footballer...what is frustrating me is that i cant work out what sort of player he will be.

A good one

 

[scaryness]

Will vs ROK in his first full season. Think ROK when he was a HF could be what Hayward will be.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Will vs ROK in his first full season. Think ROK when he was a HF could be what Hayward will be.

Round 1, 21 .vs. Round 4, 56 and ROK is a Norm Smith medalist. Fair way to go to be comparing them IMO.

 

[scaryness]

Round 1, 21 .vs. Round 4, 56 and ROK is a Norm Smith medalist. Fair way to go to be comparing them IMO.

Just saying I think early career ROK is the type of player Hayward could be.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Just saying I think early career ROK is the type of player Hayward could be.

Definately mate. If he has half the career Roky had then that'll be bloody sensational.

 

[zyzzbruh]

I think he's his own type of player can't really compare him to anyone, ROK wasn't as agile as what Hayward is, the kid is athletically and mentally gifted the way he moves kind of reminds me of wanganeen

I'm just hoping he loves it up at the swans enough to not get homesick and want a move back to Adelaide before he reaches his prime

 

[Tuco]

That last goal he kicked on the weekend, when he was running one on one to the advantahe side 45m from an empty fwd 50, gathers the ball and snapped truly...yep, Gunston it is.