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Past Will Hayward

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

www.sydneyswans.com.au

Will Hayward | AFL

Follow Will Hayward's progress through AFL
www.sydneyswans.com.au www.sydneyswans.com.au
 
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I've always rated Hayward highly. There's not many better marks of the football at his size in the competition. Even fewer who can follow up at ground level like he does. He reads and guards the drop of the ball better than just about anyone which is why he can consistently take leaping chest marks. He always had the skills but his fitness seems to have peaked now which is letting him have a more consistent impact around the ground.

He and Rowbottom might hold the keys to our success this September. There's only so many players the opposition can put work into and these 2 might benefit by being let off the leash.
 
MF said:
I've always rated Hayward highly. There's not many better marks of the football at his size in the competition. Even fewer who can follow up at ground level like he does. He reads and guards the drop of the ball better than just about anyone which is why he can consistently take leaping chest marks. He always had the skills but his fitness seems to have peaked now which is letting him have a more consistent impact around the ground.

He and Rowbottom might hold the keys to our success this September. There's only so many players the opposition can put work into and these 2 might benefit by being let off the leash.
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I think he's right up there with Fritsch and Greene as one of the premier medium forwards. Can play tall but also clever at ground level. Also has a sufficient tank to get up on a wing and lend support down into our back half. Has been really good this season.
 
MF said:
I've always rated Hayward highly. There's not many better marks of the football at his size in the competition. Even fewer who can follow up at ground level like he does. He reads and guards the drop of the ball better than just about anyone which is why he can consistently take leaping chest marks. He always had the skills but his fitness seems to have peaked now which is letting him have a more consistent impact around the ground.

He and Rowbottom might hold the keys to our success this September. There's only so many players the opposition can put work into and these 2 might benefit by being let off the leash.
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It is a very solid point - but I think it also underplays a little how important the role Hayward and Rowbottom are playing in the team in their own right, not just because the opposition might be putting effort into others. Hayward in particular with his get out marking is a massive role for the team - it has been really important in recent weeks, let alone the goals he has been kicking.

But I think more broadly, if they both play well, we will do well in the finals.
 

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Another impactful game from Will. Set the tone with that ripping snap to open our scoring and general presence in the wide open spaces.

Loved that he extended his hand to Oliver after splitting his eye with an accidental elbow in a marking contest. Win, lose or draw those type of actions help make our game great.
 
Dubai Quacker said:
Want to see someone fearlessly tackle the big issues?

Will Hayward does just that, via his twitter feed.

Issues examined:

“Do birds get cold?”

“Do sharks get thirsty?”

“Okay Woolies sushi is heaps good”

Gripping, hard-hitting stuff!
Click to expand...
Will Hayward Twitter is second only to Sam Naismith Instagram
 

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Dubai Quacker said:
Want to see someone fearlessly tackle the big issues?

Will Hayward does just that, via his twitter feed.

Issues examined:

“Do birds get cold?”

“Do sharks get thirsty?”

“Okay Woolies sushi is heaps good”

Gripping, hard-hitting stuff!
Click to expand...
Will Hayward uses Twitter like it was meant to be used.
 
Played his role perfectly last year IMO and I have always been a harsh critic of his.

As a low-possession player you've got to make every play count. I'd always felt he often tried to do too much and it would lead to him making errors that proved costly when he was only getting a dozen or less touches each week. It was like he was so eager to show off his natural ability that the blood would rush to his head and he'd kinda stuff up some of the basics. Last year he just kept it so much more simple.

I think it just all came from experience. He finally figured out when to take his shots and when to give it off to someone else. When to try for the miraculous and when to make the low-percentage play. When to hold his position closer to goal and when to push up the ground to provide an exit around stoppages (which involves a massive work rate, for which he is underrated.) Just all the things you want a low-possession, medium forward to do.

He's the embodiment of how amassing those first 100 games and the ups & downs that come with them can serve you well if you're willing to work hard and push through them.
 
There was a time when he was called the coach's pet. Those days might be returning!

As for him for him 'keeping it simple' maybe it's the case that he learned to 'play his role'. Given the number of times he uses this phrase in his recent interview (posted on Swans TV) I'm not completely speculating about this.
 

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Ticky009 said:
Shoutout by Cornes on Wilbur - about bloody time he got some recognition.
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Followed it up on SEN;

I (Cornes) rang Sydney today and asked the forwards coach Jarryd McVeigh what makes him great.

"He plays a certain role in the forward line," McVeigh said.
"His work rate up and down the field, his pressure on the opposition ball carriers is first class.

"Also he's got the ability now, the last few years he's kicked around 30 goals a year.

"He might be underrated around the traps, but certainly within our walls, he's highly rated.
"He won our Best Clubman last year, he's our most selfless player and probably our most trusted player.
"So his last two years have been (great) and he's started this year really well." :)
 
Ticky009 said:
Shoutout by Cornes on Wilbur - about bloody time he got some recognition.

Its the 2nd segment in the video

Click to expand...

I liked that whole segment. When you have former players as most of your media personalities, show vision and explain to us how and why these plays are good or bad
 
Ticky009 said:
Shoutout by Cornes on Wilbur - about bloody time he got some recognition.

Its the 2nd segment in the video
Click to expand...

Wheresbuddy said:
I think he's right up there with Fritsch and Greene as one of the premier medium forwards. Can play tall but also clever at ground level. Also has a sufficient tank to get up on a wing and lend support down into our back half. Has been really good this season.
Click to expand...
Cornes a bit late to the party 🤣🤣
 

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Past Will Hayward

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