William Hayward (born 26 October 1998) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He had previously played for the Sydney for nine seasons.

He was drafted by Sydney with their second selection and twenty-first overall, a priority draft pick, in the 2016 national draft. He made his debut against the Western Bulldogs in the twenty-three point loss against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in round 2, 2017.

Hayward received the AFL Rising Star nomination for round 23 after kicking three goals in the Swans' 81-point win over Carlton at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

After a great start to the 2024 season and coming out of contract, there was a lot of speculation about what he would do next. In June 2024, he signed a 5 year extension.

At the end of the 2025 trade period, he was traded to Carlton in a trade deal for the Swans to receive Charlie Curnow. Hayward stated that he came close to joining Carlton in 2024, and he also stated that if anything were to go on, it would be the club he’d first look at.

Updated to the end of round 5, 2026.

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