STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Decision making
+ Defensive versatility
+ Intercept marking
+ Kick efficiency
+ Mobility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Contested work
- Strength

Holding his own in key position posts while contributing with ball in hand, Hayes is a versatile tall defender who can both lock down on opponents or peel off to intercept. His dexterity both in the air and across the ground made him a trusted choice for kick-in duties, with the 17-year-old's composed distribution by foot helping set up rebounds.

At 197cm, it comes as no surprise that Hayes is so apt aerially. He reads the play beautifully and is not afraid to fly for marks, defying his relatively light frame to intercept cleanly. Whether impacting third-up or against direct opponents, Hayes' versatility and reach across the defensive 50 make him one of the more adaptable tall defenders available.

In possession, Hayes is an efficient outlet. While capable of pumping the ball long, he tends to favour short options and is quite safe in that regard, as his 89 per cent kick efficiency rating would attest to. With plenty of kick-mark play in Eastern's defence, his composure suited that style and helped him get involved outside of his primary defensive duties.

Hayes is more an accumulator of possessions in that sense, with three NAB League hauls of over 26 touches to his name this year. He averaged over 20 across the competition and helped his side get on the front foot with around five rebound 50s per game. Taking the kick-ins boosts those numbers, though you still have to make use of them.

In terms of improvements, Hayes could certainly look to become more damaging with those high-possession gains. He obviously has some filling out to do as a young key position prospect, and that will help his contested game. Though he holds his own defensively, he often possesses the ball uncontested (71 per cent) and can thus easily maintain his high-efficiency kicking. There's fewer easy touches at AFL level.