Will Hayes set to return to Euroa nest

By Zac Standish

Mar 9, 2022

Welcome back: Former Western Bulldog Will Hayes has committed to play for his hometown Euroa Magpies. Photo: Gary Day/AAP Photo by GARY DAY

Prodigal son Will Hayes will return to his hometown Euroa Magpies in 2022, linking up with brother JD in what is a major coup for the pre-season Goulburn Valley League fancy.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Hayes will don the black and white when free from his VFL commitments with Carlton, as he continues to train with the Blues in the hope of securing an AFL lifeline in the mid-season draft.

While his GVL appearances may be limited this season, Euroa coach Scott Rowan said it was fantastic to welcome the talented midfielder to the club in a playing capacity.

“Just to have Will around the traps is really exciting for us, it improves the playing group to have him around and contactable and all that stuff, so we are really pumped to have him with us,” Rowan said.

The coach said he was excited to witness the Hayes brothers in tandem at Memorial Oval.

“It is really exciting, but mostly for them as well, they wanted to have a chance to play footy together and with JD based up here it is getting harder and harder all the time,” he said.

“But certainly, having Will on board this year will push JD to spend more time at Euroa footy club and have a few extra games for us as well as the supporters.”

Hayes joins Paul Hunter as the second AFL export to join the Magpies this off-season, with their experience of playing at the elite level set to benefit the entire Euroa playing group on its quest for a drought-breaking premiership.

“That sort of experience is invaluable for kids like Fletcher Paul, Ben Bath, even Jett Trotter, just to have those blokes around to share their experiences and create some avenues and pathways for those boys down the track is fantastic,” Rowan said.

“We feel we are really close as a group at the moment, the feeling around the club is just excitement and anticipation, and with guys like Will and Paul on board we can’t wait to get cracking.”

As for where he expects to see Hayes line up when he dons the black and white, Rowan did not give too much away.

“We have got different points of view on that, he has his own opinions on that and I’m trying to stress to him that I’m the coach and he’ll play the role we set up for him,” he said.

“Obviously the opposition will come after him pretty hard, but he has some exceptional running power and they can do their best to try and tag him, but I think he’s a very competitive individual and will give plenty to our team.”