Nicholas Hayes has thrown his family’s lives into chaos.
Since the 18-year-old was snapped up by the Brisbane Lions in last year’s rookie draft, there’s been some serious angst in the Hayes household, with his parents and four younger brothers faced with an agonising decision.
Should the South Australian Hayes clan maintain their lifelong support of the Adelaide Crows, or jump ship in solidarity with their son and brother?
It’s not a choice any born-and-bred crow eater takes lightly, but family ties seem to be trumping footballing loyalty in this case.
“Most of my family have made the jump to support the Lions, which is something I never thought would happen!” Hayes laughed.
“We are all pretty hard-core Crows fans, myself included, but as of December 11 last year it’s all about the Lions, for all but a diehard couple.”
December 11 was the date Hayes’ footballing dreams materialised into reality, when the youngster was taken by Brisbane with its sixth pick in the national rookie draft.
Hayes was “stoked” to make his way on to an AFL list, despite the distance from country South Australia to the Sunshine State, and he’s been “absolutely loving” life at the Lions ever since.
The Brisbane climate has been a big positive, and his homesickness has been tempered by the mateships he’s struck up with his fellow new recruits.
Hayes shares a Coorparoo home, within walking distance to the Gabba, with first-year players Marco Paparone, Sam Mayes, and Michael Close.
It’s a close-knit household, which is “not as messy as you’d expect,” although Hayes concedes the culinary quality can leave a little to be desired at times.
But what the Woodville West-Torrens product lacks in the kitchen, he makes up for in the engine room of the undefeated Lion reserves side.
After a quiet beginning to the NEAFL season – understandable considering he’d had never played senior football before – the 188cm Hayes has been a revelation in the last fortnight.
After starting the year up forward, Hayes was swung to the midfield against Broadbeach in round five, and responded with a close to the best on ground performance.
He was similarly outstanding in the ANZAC Day clash with Gold Coast, attacking the football unwaveringly, backing himself to run and carry, and delivering with precision by foot.
First-year coach Leigh Harding is glowing in his praise of his young charge.
“Nick Hayes is an absolute ripper! He has come along in leaps and bounds since coming to the club,” Harding enthused.
“He lacks physical presence, but that size will come with more pre-seasons under his belt. But as far as on-field smarts go, he is quite advanced.
“He has a very good football brain, and he is eager to learn as much as possible.”
Lining up in the centre square alongside superstar Simon Black has been another big boon to Hayes’s quest for further footballing knowledge.
“He [Black] is a bloody gun – an incredible player,” smiles Hayes.
“He has helped me so much, and I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to play with him in three games this year. His timing, and ability around stoppages is something I have been taking particular note of.”
Aside from Black, Hayes cites Tom Rockliff as the pick of his playing peers, with Jack Redden –who attended the same boarding school as Hayes – not far behind.
Not surprisingly, a long career in the AFL is Hayes’ career aspiration, and if that eventuates he’s sure to convert his remaining resistant family members into devout Lion’s fans in the process.
Sam Canavan is a journalist with the NEAFL, you can follow him on twitter @samcanavan
