Will Hayes (born 5 June 1995) is an Australian rules footballer who formerly played for the Western Bulldogs and the Carlton Football Club in the

Australian Football League The Australian Football League (AFL) is the only fully professional competition of Australian rules football. Through the AFL Commission, the AFL also serves as the sport's governing body and is responsible for controlling the laws of the gam ...

(AFL).

Early career

After failing to get drafted, Hayes joined Footscray in 2014. Hard work and steady improvement saw him play in the 2016 VFL premiership team and then in 2018 he won his club's best and fairest. He spent five seasons with the ''Bulldogs'' before his hard work and consistency had the select him in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.

AFL career

He was selected at pick #78 in the 2018 national draft. He made his senior debut against

Carlton Carlton may refer to: People * Carlton (name), a list of those with the given name or surname * Carlton (singer), English soul singer Carlton McCarthy * Carlton, a pen name used by Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), American educator, Presbyterian ...

in round 5 of the 2019 season. After 11 games in 3 years Hayes was delisted at the conclusion of the

2021 AFL season The 2021 AFL season was the 125th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia, which was known as the Victorian Football League until 1989. The season featu ...

. He joined the Carlton Football Club's reserves team in 2022, and his career was given a lifeline when selected him in the 2022 mid season draft. He played two senior matches in the latter half of the 2022 season before again being delisted.

Personal life

He graduated from Melbourne Grammar School in 2013 alongside close friend and fellow footballer Zach Merrett. He is the son of racehorse trainer David Hayes. Hayes studied a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University, and now works at

Flemington Racecourse Flemington Racecourse is a major horse racing venue located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is most notable for hosting the Melbourne Cup, which is the world's richest handicap and the world's richest 3200-metre horse race. The racecou ...

References

External links

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Will Hayes
from AFL Tables {{DEFAULTSORT:Hayes, Will Western Bulldogs players 1995 births Living people Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state) Carlton Football Club players