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Will Hayward
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
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.
Key Information
AFL career
[edit]He was drafted by Sydney with their second selection and twenty-first overall, a priority draft pick,[1][2] in the 2016 national draft.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6] In June 2024, he signed a 5 year extension.[7]
At the end of the 2025 trade period, he was traded to Carlton in a trade deal for the Swans to receive Charlie Curnow.[8] 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.[9]
Statistics
[edit]Updated to the end of the 2025 season.[10]
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2017 | Sydney | 9 | 17 | 22 | 13 | 106 | 47 | 153 | 50 | 44 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 6.2 | 2.8 | 9.0 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 0 |
| 2018 | Sydney | 9 | 23 | 28 | 18 | 173 | 101 | 274 | 91 | 71 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 7.5 | 4.4 | 11.9 | 4.0 | 3.1 | 0 |
| 2019 | Sydney | 9 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 89 | 58 | 147 | 43 | 35 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 6.8 | 4.5 | 11.3 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 0 |
| 2020[a] | Sydney | 9 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 87 | 74 | 161 | 54 | 37 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 10.1 | 3.4 | 2.3 | 0 |
| 2021 | Sydney | 9 | 20 | 28 | 15 | 134 | 75 | 209 | 81 | 60 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 6.7 | 3.8 | 10.5 | 4.1 | 3.0 | 2 |
| 2022 | Sydney | 9 | 25 | 34 | 22 | 198 | 103 | 301 | 112 | 74 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 7.9 | 4.1 | 12.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Sydney | 9 | 23 | 25 | 19 | 177 | 92 | 269 | 99 | 72 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 7.7 | 4.0 | 11.7 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 1 |
| 2024 | Sydney | 9 | 26 | 41 | 16 | 201 | 115 | 316 | 115 | 66 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 7.7 | 4.4 | 12.2 | 4.4 | 2.5 | 2 |
| 2025 | Sydney | 9 | 21 | 29 | 10 | 138 | 99 | 237 | 68 | 55 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 6.6 | 4.7 | 11.3 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 3 |
| Career | 184 | 229 | 132 | 1303 | 764 | 2067 | 713 | 514 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 7.1 | 4.2 | 11.2 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 8 | ||
Notes
- ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Honours and achievements
[edit]Individual
Personal life
[edit]Hayward was educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide, starting in grade three in 2007 and completing his final year in 2016.[11]
He played his junior football for Walkerville Junior Football Club in Adelaide’s inner east, as well as for his school.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Pick 21: Will Hayward". Sydney Swans. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ "AFL 2019: Gold Coast, Melbourne to present to AFL Commission next week". Fox Sports Australia. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ^ Homfrey, Reece (25 November 2016). "Just six South Australian players selected in 2016 AFL Draft". The Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- ^ Cordy, Neil (30 March 2017). "Sydney Swans name three debutants for Grand Final rematch against Western Bulldogs". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- ^ McGowan, Marc (28 August 2017). "Three kicks enough for 'coach's pet' Rising Star". BigPond. Australian Football League. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ "Free agent Swan will only move to contenders as $800k price tag emerges". SEN. 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Hayward extends for five years". Sydney Swans. 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Live: Merrett deal spectacularly collapses on deadline day, Curnow gets to Swans". ABC News. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ^ "'We want you gone': The Cox call that led to an Argentina pact for two new Blues". AFL. 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Will Hayward". AFL Tables. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ "Hayward to reach a milestone". sydneyswans.com.au. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "Hayward's star rises". sydneyswans.com.au. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Will Hayward.
- Will Hayward's profile on the official website of the Sydney Swans
- Will Hayward's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Profile at Sydney Swans
 | This Australian rules football biography of a person born in 1998 is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |
Will Hayward
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Will Hayward (born 26 October 1998) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays as a dynamic forward for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).[1][2]
Originally from South Australia, Hayward was drafted by the Sydney Swans with the 21st pick in the 2016 AFL National Draft after a standout junior career with North Adelaide in the SANFL and representing South Australia at the NAB Under-18 Championships, where he kicked eight goals in four games.[3][1] He made his AFL debut in round 2 of the 2017 season against the Western Bulldogs and quickly established himself as a reliable goalkicker, earning an AFL Rising Star nomination in round 23 that year after booting three goals in a win over Carlton.[1][4]
Over eight seasons with the Swans, Hayward played 184 games and kicked 229 goals, including a career-high 41 majors in 2024, finishing second in the club's goalkicking for two consecutive seasons and top four for six straight years.[2][5] He featured in nine finals, including two Grand Finals, and was recognized with the Sydney Swans Best Clubman Award in 2022 for his leadership and consistency, playing every match in the 2024 season and 21 games in 2025.[6][7]
In a blockbuster trade on 15 October 2025, Hayward was sent to Carlton along with pick 11 in the 2025 draft and future first-round selections (2026 and 2027) in exchange for star forward Charlie Curnow, marking the end of his time at Sydney amid the club's rebuild.[5][8] Standing at 186 cm, Hayward is known for his agility, marking ability, and pressure acts inside forward 50, bringing versatility and proven scoring prowess to the Blues' lineup ahead of the 2026 season.[1][9]
In 2024, Hayward achieved career-highs with 26 games and 41 goals, demonstrating improved scoring efficiency. During the 2025 season, he averaged 4.8 contested possessions per game across 21 appearances. These figures represent his full AFL statistics as of the end of the 2025 season, prior to his trade to Carlton; no games have been played with the new club as of November 2025. Set shot accuracy data is not comprehensively tracked in public statistics, but his overall goal-kicking rate provides context for his finishing ability.[28][36]
Early years
Early life and education
Will Hayward was born on 26 October 1998 in Adelaide, South Australia.[1] He grew up in a family supportive of his sporting pursuits, with parents Richard and Kate Hayward encouraging his early interests.[10] Hayward spent much of his childhood immersed in Adelaide's vibrant local football culture, often playing the sport informally with his older brother Harry in the family's back garden, which fostered his passion from a young age.[10] Hayward attended St Peter's College in Adelaide, beginning in grade three in 2007 and completing his Year 12 education in 2016.[11] During his time at the school, he participated in its football program, playing for the first XVIII as a bottom-age player, which helped develop his skills alongside his academic studies.[10] Public information on his non-football interests or additional family influences remains limited.Junior football career
Hayward began his organised junior football career playing for the Walkerville Junior Football Club in Adelaide's inner northern suburbs, competing in local junior competitions where he developed his skills as a versatile forward.[12] The club, established in 1961, has long served as a key feeder for higher-level South Australian football pathways.[12] He progressed to the SANFL under-18 competition with North Adelaide, where he had a standout 2016 season, booting 33 goals in just nine games and demonstrating strong marking and goal-kicking ability.[3] This performance included a bag of nine goals in the preliminary final and four goals in the grand final loss to Glenelg.[13][14] His time at North Adelaide highlighted his emergence as a damaging medium forward prospect, known for his speed and tackling pressure.[3] This development was supported by his schooling at St Peter's College in Adelaide.[15] Hayward represented South Australia at the 2016 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, contributing eight goals across four matches and playing a key role in the team's campaign.[3] His performances in the championships, combined with his club form, underscored his potential as a high-impact forward capable of competing at elite levels.[16]AFL career
Draft selection and debut
Hayward was selected by the Sydney Swans with their second pick and the 21st overall in the 2016 AFL National Draft, following a standout season with North Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) that drew interest from several clubs.[3][17] He joined the Swans' senior list ahead of the 2017 season, assigned the number 9 guernsey previously worn by premiership player Nick Davis.[18] Hayward made his AFL debut in Round 2 of the 2017 season against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, where the Swans suffered a 23-point loss in a rematch of the previous year's grand final.[19] In the match, he recorded 11 kicks, 5 handballs for 16 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, and 1 behind, showing poise in 87% of the game time despite the high-pressure environment.[20] As a first-year player, Hayward quickly adapted to senior football, aided by injuries to established forwards that opened opportunities; he went on to play 17 games for 22 goals and demonstrating explosive pace and goal sense.[17] His rapid integration earned him the round 23 nomination for the 2017 NAB AFL Rising Star award after kicking three goals from three disposals in an 81-point win over Carlton, highlighting his potential as a dynamic small forward amid the challenges of professional adjustment.[21]Sydney Swans tenure (2017–2025)
Hayward began his AFL career with the Sydney Swans as a promising medium forward, quickly establishing himself after a strong debut season in 2017. He played 17 games that year, booting 22 goals, and earned an AFL Rising Star nomination in round 23 for his three-goal performance in an 81-point victory over Carlton at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[19][21] His early contributions highlighted his ability to provide forward pressure and convert opportunities, marking a transition from rookie list to key contributor.[22] Over the following years, Hayward solidified his role in the Swans' forward line, evolving into a reliable set-shot goal kicker known for his accuracy under pressure. From 2021 onward, he kicked at least 25 goals in each of the next three seasons (2021–2023), including 34 in 2022 and 25 in 2023, while contributing to the team's dynamic through strong contested marking and tackling inside forward 50.[1][23] His reliability became evident in high-stakes moments, such as providing crucial forward pressure that supported the Swans' high-intensity style.[24] Hayward's tenure peaked in 2024, where he played all 26 games, achieving a career-high 41 goals and hitting the target in 19 of those matches as the team's most dependable finisher.[1] He featured prominently in the Swans' finals campaign, including kicking the opening goal of the Grand Final loss to Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[25] That June, reflecting the club's confidence in his ongoing impact, Hayward signed a five-year contract extension keeping him at Sydney until at least the end of 2029.[26][27] In 2025, Hayward continued as a core forward, playing 21 games and kicking 29 goals amid a season affected by minor injuries that limited his availability in the latter rounds.[28] Standout performances included a juggling mark and goal against Collingwood in July, as well as two crucial last-quarter goals in a narrow win over St Kilda that kept Sydney's finals hopes alive.[29][30] His contributions underscored his value in team dynamics, providing steady scoring and pressure before the trade period.[31]Trade to Carlton (2025)
On 15 October 2025, Will Hayward was traded from the Sydney Swans to the Carlton Football Club in a trade sending him along with Sydney's pick 11 in the 2025 AFL Draft and future first-round selections (2026 and 2027) to Carlton in exchange for dual Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow.[32][2] The deal was finalized on the final day of the AFL trade period, amid Carlton's acquisition of multiple draft picks, including future first-round selections, to bolster their rebuild.[2] The trade occurred in the context of Sydney's post-2024 Grand Final list management strategy, following a 60-point loss to Brisbane that prompted a push to strengthen their forward line with Curnow's proven goal-scoring prowess.[33] For Carlton, losing their leading forward created an urgent need for depth in attack, where Hayward's versatility and consistent output—highlighted by his career-high 41 goals in 2024—positioned him as a key addition.[2] Hayward had previously explored a move to Carlton during 2024 free agency but ultimately re-signed with Sydney on a five-year extension; however, the Swans' pursuit of Curnow shifted priorities, leading to his reluctant departure despite his initial desire to stay.[8] Sydney coach Dean Cox described the phone conversations informing Hayward and teammate Ollie Florent of their trades as "very tough," admitting the difficulty of moving contracted players who had become life members after 184 games each.[34] Hayward, vacationing in South America with Florent at the time, later reflected that the process "could have been handled better," citing a blunt call from Cox conveying the club's intent to facilitate the deal.[9] In contrast, upon arriving at Carlton, Hayward expressed enthusiasm, stating he was "fully committed" to the Blues and grateful the chaotic deadline-day negotiations—conducted until 3:30 a.m. from abroad—succeeded, allowing him to join a club he had long admired after positive discussions with coach Michael Voss the previous year.[35][8] Voss, who had pursued Hayward in 2024, welcomed the addition as part of Carlton's transformative trade period aimed at injecting pace and experience into the forward line.[9] Following the trade, Hayward signed a new multi-year contract with Carlton, securing his future at the club through at least 2029 and setting expectations for a 2026 season debut where he is anticipated to provide immediate forward pressure and goal-kicking support.[5] The move marked the end of Hayward's nine-year tenure at Sydney, where he had featured in two Grand Finals, but opened a new chapter aligned with his prior interest in Carlton's competitive environment.[35]Playing statistics and style
Career statistics
Will Hayward's AFL career statistics, accumulated during his time with the Sydney Swans from 2017 to 2025, reflect his development as a versatile forward. He played 184 games, kicking 229 goals and 132 behinds for a career goal-kicking accuracy of 63.4%. Key metrics include disposals, marks, tackles, and contested possessions, showcasing his involvement in both offensive and contested play.[28] The following table provides a season-by-season breakdown of his primary statistics:| Season | Games Played | Goals-Behinds | Disposals | Marks | Tackles | Contested Possessions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 17 | 22.13 | 153 | 50 | 44 | 51 |
| 2018 | 23 | 28.18 | 274 | 91 | 71 | 115 |
| 2019 | 13 | 12.16 | 147 | 43 | 35 | 67 |
| 2020 | 16 | 10.3 | 161 | 54 | 37 | 72 |
| 2021 | 20 | 28.15 | 209 | 81 | 60 | 89 |
| 2022 | 25 | 34.22 | 301 | 112 | 74 | 131 |
| 2023 | 23 | 25.19 | 269 | 99 | 72 | 115 |
| 2024 | 26 | 41.16 | 316 | 115 | 66 | 110 |
| 2025 | 21 | 29.10 | 237 | 68 | 55 | 101 |
| Total | 184 | 229.132 | 2067 | 713 | 514 | 851 |