Port Adelaide great Neville Hayes dies aged 88

Port Adelaide is mourning the death of eight-time premiership great Neville Hayes, who has been remembered as a “great character” and passionate Power man.

Port Adelaide footballer Neville Hayes.

One of South Australian football’s most successful players, Port Adelaide great Neville “Chicken” Hayes, has died.

Hayes, who lined up in eight premierships across 217 games during a golden era for the club from 1953-65, passed away on Wednesday after a short illness.

He was 88.

Hayes was an uncompromising half-back flanker who played in all of Port Adelaide’s national record six consecutive flags from 1954-59, represented South Australia 21 times and won two club best-and-fairest awards (1957, 1960).

His other accolades include being selected in Port Adelaide’s Greatest Team, as well as being a member of the club and South Australian football’s halls of fame.

AFL Team Port Adelaide Hall of Fame inductees L to R Geof Motley, Neville Hayes (in chair) Warren Tredrea, Paul Northeast and Mark Clayton (Son of Bob Clayton – Mark accepted on his behalf as Bob has passed) and Mark Williams.

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson said Hayes was a remarkable player.

“When you think of Port Adelaide’s golden era through the ‘50s and ‘60s, you think of Chicken Hayes,” Richardson said.

“In later years, Neville remained connected with the club and his teammates, and we loved hearing his stories.

“He was a great character, passionate about his football club and never missed a game on TV.

“The Port Adelaide Football Club extends its heartfelt condolences to Margaret, Nina, Sally, Kara and the entire Hayes family during this time.”

Only three players in SANFL history have won more premierships than Hayes as a player: Port legend Geof Motley and Central District brothers Chris and James Gowans.

Motley and Hayes were close friends, coming through Woodville High together before becoming Magpies teammates and instrumental to the club’s run of unmatched success.

Motley died in September.

From left: Neville Hayes (playing in his twelfth year after 94 games); Peter Obst (tenth year, 140 games); coach Fos Williams (fourteenth year, 206 games, including matches played with West Adelaide); Bob Fabian (tenth year, 104 games); and Geof Motley (twelfth year, 202 games).

Hayes was the last living player to have featured in all six consecutive premierships.

“While it’s a sombre time for our club, we look back fondly on what the likes of Chicken and his great mate Geof Motley and others achieved during that period that has set us up to be the club we are today,” Richardson said.

“Their remarkable achievements will never be forgotten and their legacy shines as brightly today as at any other time in our club’s history.”

In an interview last year, Motley described Hayes as being a key reason why Port was so successful during its golden era, saying he rarely made a mistake and would not stop running.

“Chicken was as tough a player as you’ll see,” Motley said.

“He never came off the line and was one of the best exponents of the hip-and-shoulder bump that I’ve ever seen.

“When opposition players knew Chicken was around, they would get very nervous.

“He was a great teammate.”