Woodville-West Torrens young gun Jack Hayes set to represent SANFL state team against WA

THERE was a time Jack Hayes questioned whether he would ever play league football. Now the Woodville-West Torrens young gun is preparing to represent the SANFL state team against WA at Adelaide Oval.

Woodville-West Torrens young gun Jack Hayes has earned selection in the SANFL state team. Picture: Tait Schmaal

THERE was a time Jack Hayes questioned whether he would ever play league football.

The former state under-18 gun had risen through the ranks rapidly since first having a kick with older brother, and now Woodville-West Torrens teammate, Nick Hayes as a child.

But three years in the Eagles’ reserves left the younger sibling doubting his future, before he finally made his senior debut against Central District in round one last season.

“I was thinking about going home for a little bit and working on the farm,” said Jack Hayes, who grew up in Redhill in the state’s Mid North

“But I always wanted to play at the highest level with my brother.

“That’s probably the main reason I stuck it out down in town. Now I’m happy I did.”

Hayes has become a fixture across the Eagles’ half-forward line, kicking 21 goals in 20 games last season and 13 majors already in the opening six rounds of this campaign.

But statistics tell only half the story.

Jack Hayes has booted 13 goals for Woodville-West Torrens so far this SANFL season. Picture: Sarah Reed

The athletic 193cm talent has caught the eye with his marking ability, deadly kick and smooth moving around the ground.

His outstanding form earned him selection in the SANFL state team for its clash with WA at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

“It’s unbelievable,” Hayes, 22, said.

“I’ve only played league for a year, so it’s a tremendous honour to be able to put on the state guernsey and represent the state.

“Hopefully I get a couple of kicks.”

The qualified landscape gardener began his junior career at Brinkworth Spalding Redhill, later playing several A-grade games as a teenager in the North Eastern Football League.

Hayes moved to Adelaide aged 16 to attend Sacred Heart College.

But he said lessons learned from scratch matches with Nick, who he lives with in Adelaide, and his three younger brothers on the family property had stood him in good stead.

“It would be a bit of a fight between me and Nick, and then (younger sibling) Luke would come and have a kick and a catch as well.

“Even now, me and Nick probably have the best chemistry in the (Eagles) team.

Woodville-West Torrens forward Jack Hayes in typically high-flying action. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“We know what’s going on with each other having played a heap of footy together.

“Playing league footy with one of your brothers is not something everyone can say they’ve done.”

Hayes demonstrated his confidence by grabbing three goals in a best-on-ground display, as the Eagles downed reigning premier Sturt by 33 points at Unley on Sunday.

The standout performance was rewarded with The Advertiser’s SANFL player-of-the-week honours.

But Hayes remained focused on ending the club’s seven-year premiership drought.

“I love hitting the scoreboard and taking a few pack marks,” said Hayes, part of the side which claimed the Eagles’ third-straight minor premiership last year.

“But you play footy to win premierships.

“We’ve come close a few times, so it would be the icing on the cake this year if we went all the way and won the premiership.”