Footscray VFL player Will Hayes knows way forward

IMPRESSIVE  endurance. Accurate kick. VFL premiership player. Will Hayes may only be 20 years old, but there is plenty to like.

Footscray VFL player Will Hayes at Whitten Oval please. He is one of the young guns in the side and is the son of horse trainer David Hayes. Picture: Richard Serong

IMPRESSIVE  endurance. Accurate kick. VFL premiership player.

Will Hayes may only be 20 years old, but there is plenty to like about the small forward from Footscray.

Hayes arrived at Whitten Oval at the start of last season after graduating from TAC Cup outfit Sandringham Dragons.

He thought he’d struggle to crack the senior line-up.

With the Dogs boasting a deep list and most spots taken by AFL-listed players, it is not hard to see why Hayes thought he may be on the outer.

Instead, he managed 11 ­appearances and was part of the team that knocked off Box Hill in the decider.

“To win the flag in the first year being in the competition was just awesome. I love it down there,” Hayes said.

“I wasn’t expecting to get much of a go to get games to begin with, but to end up playing in the grand final was just a massive bonus.”

Hayes is the son of well-known horse trainer David, while his twin brother James has also linked up Footscray.

Hayes, who can also fill a role in the midfield, has played seven games so far this season and described his run as “lucky”.

But the Malvern resident has endured plenty of hard labour as he chases his dream of competing at the elite level.

“I’ve developed heaps, and physically as well. I’ve put on about 10kg,” Hayes said.

“In terms of how to play for the team, not just your individual performances, I’ve really come a long way.

“I’m spending a lot of time up forward at the moment, just learning how to be dangerous and learning certain leading patterns.

“Hopefully one day I’ll move up to the midfield.”

There is no shortage of ­experience at Footscray.

While the side is ­highlighted by Western Bulldogs-listed players, there is also a sprinkling of experienced heads.

Jordan Russell and Mark Austin are co-captains, while Brent Prismall is also a member of the leadership group.

“Playing with them is ­really good because they’re so experienced and know what’s going on,” Hayes said.

“They really help you out on the field. The young fellas, they do the same thing.

“They’re only young but they know so much about footy already — they’re all smart players. It makes it easier when you’ve got good teammates around you. I’m just lucky to get on the end of a lot of their good work.”

Hayes was awarded most improved player at the Dragons in 2013 before crossing to the Dogs.

Always chasing the next piece of advice, he is willing to do whatever is required to blossom.

“I’ve just got to keep ticking boxes at VFL level I guess,” Hayes said.

“I think I just need to keep developing all round — just every bit of my game.

“Every time the coaches tell me to work on something, I go away and work on it until they give me another thing to work on.”

He heaped praise on Dogs coach Ashley Hansen, who is in his first year in the top job after replacing Chris Maple.

“He’s a ripping coach. He’s very similar to Mapes ­because he worked under him last year, so not a lot has changed,” Hayes said.

“He’s really good, easy to approach and he’s got some really good principles.”

As for his famous father, Hayes said he “loved his footy”.

“He reckons he’s the best player to ever not get ­drafted,” he said.

“He actually got retired early by his grandad to get into training. He leaves all the advice to the coaches who know their stuff.”

Meanwhile, Footscray overcame a two-goal deficit at three-quarter-time to defeat Richmond by two points on Saturday, 11.18 (84) to 12.10 (82).