Lenny Hayes (born 14 January 1980) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing with St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League.
Hayes is a former captain of St Kilda and continues to be an onfield leader in the Saints' midfield.
[edit] Overview
Hayes grew up in suburban Sydney in New South Wales and began playing junior football with the Pennant Hills Demons AFC in the Sydney AFL.
In 1998, Hayes was a standout player for NSW/ACT in the representative TAC Cup, taking out the Morrish Medal as the best player in the competition.
[edit] AFL career
Hayes nominated for the 1998 AFL Draft and was picked up by St Kilda with its first pick (#11 overall).
Hayes sporting his famous No. 7 jumper
Hayes debuted the following year in the AFL. Although he started well, he improved throughout the year, earning an AFL Rising Star nomination in the final round of the season (R22).
[edit] 2004: Captain
Hayers was captain for the 2004 season as part of St Kilda's then policy of rotating the captaincy to a different player each season.
Hayes was captain in St Kilda’s 2004 Wizard Home Loans Cup winning side, the club's second pre-season cup win.[1][2]
After a strong start to the 2006 season, Hayes ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against the Kangaroos in Round 9, requiring a minor knee reconstruction which sidelined him until the 2007 season. In just his fifth game back in the 2007 season he suffered a broken collarbone, sidelining him for three weeks, although he managed to come back and play 19 games for the year.
[edit] 2007: Co-Captain
Hayes was a co-captain and part of the Saints' 2007 leadership group - dubbed the "Young Saints", which also included Justin Koschitzke, Luke Ball (co-captain) and Nick Riewoldt (co-captain). Also included in the leadership group were Aaron Hamill, Fraser Gehrig, Nick Dal Santo and Robert Harvey.
[edit] 2008 season
Hayes played in St Kilda’s 2008 NAB Cup winning side, the club’s third pre-season cup win.[3][4]
[edit] 2009 season
In 2009, Hayes played his 200th AFL game in Round 9 against the Brisbane Lions at Docklands Stadium. During the match he gained 31 possessions in the Saints' 16 point victory.[5] He finished third in the 2009 Brownlow Medal.
Hayes played in 19 of 22 matches in the 2009 home and away rounds in which St Kilda qualified in first position for the finals series, winning the club’s third minor premiership.[6]
Hayes was recognised for his excellent season with selection in the 2009 All-Australian Team as a midfield player, his third All-Australian Team award.
St Kilda qualified for the 2009 AFL Grand Final after qualifying and preliminary final wins. Hayes played in the grand final when St Kilda was defeated by 12 points.
As of the end of the 2009 AFL season, Hayes has played in 11 finals series matches including one grand final and also two pre-season cup finals.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
