Will Hayward turns his back on free agency, rival offers to re-sign with Sydney Swans

Swans forward Will Hayward has turned his back on massive interest from clubs in his native South Australia to extend his contract with Sydney.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 23: Will Hayward of the Swans celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 11 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium on May 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Swans have secured one of the most in-demand signatures in the AFL with Will Hayward putting pen to paper on a five-year extension with the club.

The restricted free agent was coming off contract at the end of this season and was heavily pursued by several clubs.

Hailing from South Australia, both the Crows and Port Adelaide showed interest in the dynamic forward, while Carlton reportedly put a massive six-year deal on the table.

However, Hayward’s preference was always to remain in Sydney, and once the club upped their deal to five years, the 25-year-old was quick to sign on the dotted line.

“Since I was drafted the Swans have been great to me and my family, and I’m so happy that I will be here at the club for the long term,” Hayward said.

“I feel extremely lucky that the club has put its faith in me, and our team feels we’re on the right path, so I can’t wait to get stuck in and try to achieve more success here in Sydney.

“We feel we’re in a really good position to launch for the second half of the season and I’m excited about what we could produce over the next few years.”

Hayward is currently having the most consistent season of his career, averaging two goals a game. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Hayward was taken by the club with the 21st pick of the 2016 draft after impressing as a prolific goalscorer for North Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s.

He immediately became an integral part of the Swans’ side, playing 17 games in his debut season and every game the year after that.

His ability to hit the scoreboard is what sets him apart, having kicked 181 goals for the club in 148 games. Despite standing at 186cm, Hayward has the marking ability of a key forward and can play tall or small in the forward line.

That flexibility has come into focus in 2024 with the Swans flying high on top of the table. He is the club’s leading goal-kicker this season, kicking 22 goals in 11 matches, including two separate four-goal hauls.

While he was always a priority signing for the club, his irresistible form to start the year made it even harder for the Swans not to go all in on the fan-favourite.

The versatility Hayward provides makes him a handful for opposition defenders. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Will is one of the more popular members of the playing group and we’re thrilled to have him commit long term with this footy club,” the Swans’ general manager of football Leon Cameron said.

“We all know what he can do with the ball in hand but it’s the stuff he does off the ball which has earnt the respect of his teammates. His running ability, chasing and tackling is first class, and we really value that here.

“I look forward to seeing Will develop even more as a person and footy player at this club.”

Hayward is the fourth major re-signing for the club after they also agreed to new long-term deals for James Rowbottom, Errol Gulden and his best mate Ollie Florent.

Taken in the same draft class as Hayward, Florent is the only other one of the quartet to also agree to a five-year extension.

But it is a strong signal of intent from the club and players alike that there is so much belief in what the Swans are currently building.

Hayward and Florent are both set to remain at the Swans until the end of 2029. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Their young nucleus has masterminded their 10-1 start to the season and the majority are all locked in to take Sydney towards the end of this decade. The players have also proven they are happy to forfeit some of their own financial gain because they are so confident the club could win multiple premierships before 2030.

The only remaining piece for the Swans is Logan McDonald with the key forward the last high-profile youngster coming off contract at the end of this season. The club has always remained confident of keeping the 22-year-old and his apparent main suitor in Fremantle has already suggested they don’t expect him to be available.

Getting all these deals done early in the season means the club can now turn its attention to re-signing some of their more experienced names. Harry Cunningham and Robbie Fox are two key players who will also be looking to extend their stays at the Swans beyond 2024.

Chad Warner’s signature will also become a priority after the best month of footy of his career to date.

Originally published as Will Hayward turns his back on free agency, rival offers to re-sign with Sydney Swans