AFL Player #18: Lewis Hayes - Re-signs until 2026 - 24/7

[VelvetSledge]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 39, Vander18

 

[Nifft]

Nah, I have it on good authority that his nickname at the club is Grug.

 

[Pweter]

View attachment 1659754

Nah, the OG Grug

 

[eorl]

Nah, the OG Grug

View attachment 1659780

Harry Jones' nose and hair always made me think of Grug

 

[Lore]

Lewis Hayes​

13 disposals, eight kicks, five marks

Still learning his craft, but played really well. Worked up and down the ground and tried to get involved in our take while also getting involved down back in the air.

VFL player review: Rd 4 v Casey

Nine AFL-listed players played in Sunday's matchup with Casey.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[jmoo wan]

. Worked up and down the ground and tried to get involved in our take

in our what?

 

[Beerfish]

in our what?

I presume they're talking about extortion.

 

[jmoo wan]

I presume they're talking about extortion.

as long as it is out of the soft cap, i don’t give a shit

 

[Vander18]

Haven’t really watched him at VFL level but he seems to be finding plenty of footy for a young key defender, always a good sign.

 

[The Devils Advocate]

If he follows the same trajectory as BZT in the VFL then all is well.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Reckon this guy will be a gun by 2026. Maybe even 2025.

By that time we are a top 4 team.

Imagine what we’re dishing up now with Perkins, Reid, Cox, Hobbs, Tsatas, Caldwell, BZT, Draper, Bryan, Davey, Davey, Wright, Redman and Hayes peaking.

There isn’t much to fall out the top age-wise. Heppell, Shiel, Stringer, Stewart.

In 15 years, I haven’t felt this positive. It’s happening. It’s really happening.

 

[Cup_o_Jobe]

I'm in many ways more bullish on Hayes than I am on Reid. If both manage to make it over the next couple of years that's a fairly formidable KPD spine for a long time to come. Will be weird after so many years of surviving with a patchwork quilt defense. Also frees up Ridley to play his natural (less accountable role) as the floating intercept king we all know him to be. I'm imagining something like:

Ridley Hayes McGrath
Redman Reid Cox

with D'Ambrosio rotating through as necessary. I'm comforted also by how much BZT has come on, as he's shown he's got what it takes at AFL level, so if for example, Reid doesn't come on as hoped or remains cruelled by injury, you slot him in and it still looks like a solid back 6.

All young(-ish) so could become a real set and forget formation for Brad as he builds the team.

 

[ant555]

 

[fairbump_playon]

I'm in many ways more bullish on Hayes than I am on Reid. If both manage to make it over the next couple of years that's a fairly formidable KPD spine for a long time to come. Will be weird after so many years of surviving with a patchwork quilt defense. Also frees up Ridley to play his natural (less accountable role) as the floating intercept king we all know him to be. I'm imagining something like:

Ridley Hayes McGrath
Redman Reid Cox

with D'Ambrosio rotating through as necessary. I'm comforted also by how much BZT has come on, as he's shown he's got what it takes at AFL level, so if for example, Reid doesn't come on as hoped or remains cruelled by injury, you slot him in and it still looks like a solid back 6.

All young(-ish) so could become a real set and forget formation for Brad as he builds the team.

I feel like the Kelly type would be a better fit in this back 6 than Cox. Unless Cox develops to offer an incredible level of agility.

Kelly will age out though.. I wonder if Montgomerie’s defending will ever get up to that level

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Any chance?

 

[Blind Turn]

Id be hesitant while he’s so young and still learning his role in the VFL even though he looks like he has a big future.

But then again, Sheeds was willing to play a lanky school boy at full back against some of the greatest ever full forwards…

Wanganeen to back pocket, Hayes to full back, Redman to CHB to play the Mark Harvey role. Voss in to emulate Dean Wallis. It makes sense.

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Hayes and Hipwood is actually a decent size matchup. BZT to Daniher for sure.

 

[Don Won]

I think if Scott plays Hayes then everything he has said to this point about playing people in VFL until they’re really ready was bullshit. Not that I’d be mad to see the kid get a crack, but it would diminish his coaches credibility a little

 

[citizen-erased]

I think if Scott plays Hayes then everything he has said to this point about playing people in VFL until they’re really ready was bullshit. Not that I’d be mad to see the kid get a crack, but it would diminish his coaches credibility a little

necessity may dictate a deviation given Ridley, Laverde, Stewart, Reid out.

 

[Don Won]

necessity may dictate a deviation given Ridley, Laverde, Stewart, Reid out.

It’s getting close, but Baldwin/Bryan, with the potential to switch with Weidman if it goes south, gives more maturity and some flexibility

 

[citizen-erased]

It’s getting close, but Baldwin/Bryan, with the potential to switch with Weidman if it goes south, gives more maturity and some flexibility

agree.
and i'd rather we don't risk breaking Hayes. we've already f'd up 4x KPDs over 3 drafts

 

[ant555]

agree.
and i'd rather we don't risk breaking Hayes. we've already f'd up 4x KPDs over 3 drafts

Yet you are prepared to throw Bryan back despite him having zero experience as a defender ? Do you really think Bryan getting flogged in defense will do anything for his development ?

 

[DERO]

Dustrin Fletcher lined up on Justin Madden in his first game when he was 17. I mean, it was crazy but we did it and it worked kinda.

BRING HIM IN

 

[citizen-erased]

Yet you are prepared to throw Bryan back despite him having zero experience as a defender ? Do you really think Bryan getting flogged in defense will do anything for his development ?

Bryan has a few years underneath him. But we're really clutching at straws/scraping a barrel. Kpd stocks arent looking good.

 

[ant555]

Bryan has a few years underneath him. But we're really clutching at straws/scraping a barrel. Kpd stocks arent looking good.

Baldwin has more hope.

 

[Vander18]

Baldwin has more hope.

That’s where so fundamentally disagree with you on this one.

For me…..Bryan in defence v Brisbane has nothing to do with his development, it’s purely about trying to snatch a win this week (although taking one for the team and doing a job is arguably a development opportunity).

I just don’t see Baldwin matching up - even if there is pressure on he’ll be giving up so much height and reach that I can still see his man kicking 4-5 on him. I’d rather try Hayes.