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PLAYERS / WILL HAYES
Updated 17 May 2026

Will Hayes

#140/166·Bye Rd 12
FWD
Price $188kBE 28Owned Bye Rd 12Avg 37.0
ROOKIEBIBLEVerdict
▼ SELL

Hayes posted 35 in the MCG draw against Hawthorn — slightly above his 32 average in a tight contested arm-wrestle, and he was still doing his crumbing work. But he's been dropped for R9 to make room for returning big names — Pendlebury, Howe, McCreery all back in means the depth squeeze is real. He'll fight to regain selection but you can't hold a FWD rookie through an omission. Sell now and recycle the cash.

Signals2/3 · Partial alignment
Form
Stable
Trajectory
Flat
Consistency
Consistent
Recent formSeason avg 37
42
35
33
Comparable PicksWhy this comparison · Same primary position (FWD), ±$200k price band

Will Hayes

FWD

Jack Henderson

FWD
Form
R4
32
R6
46
R7
33
R8
35
R10
42
Pricing
Price$188k
Price$186k
Breakeven28
Breakeven27
Cash/wk+$0k
Cash/wk+$0k

Decision

Should I trade Will Hayes?

Form, breakeven, and a comparable replacement weighed up.

Intel feed

Recent intel

Breakout Signal· T3

Will Hayes impressive in R10 vs Sydney as a small forward — praised for goal sense, pressure acts, and skills. Community calling for him in every week for the rest of the season. Multiple comments highlight his 'proper small forward' instincts and potential to be great.

Role Change· T3

Will Hayes omitted from Collingwood's team to face Geelong in Round 9 despite being in form (4 goals in 3 games). Community considers the omission stiff; dropped to make room for returning Pendlebury, Howe, McCreery.

Breakout Signal· T3

Will Hayes praised as a crafty small forward who gets to right spots, kicks goals, and applies good pressure. Commenters argue he should hold his spot until Bobby Hill returns. Multiple high-score comments single him out as a genuine find for Collingwood.

Breakout Signal· T3

Will Hayes praised as one of the young stars of the R7 win vs Essendon, kicking goals early when the heat was on. Seen as a future fixture with Steene, Anderson and Steele as the core of Collingwood's next generation.

Breakout Signal· T3

Will Hayes had a career-best game performance in R7 vs Essendon, described as a "STUD" and having an impressive game from the first quarter onwards. Multiple commenters highlighted his work leading up forward and general play.

Breakout Signal· T3

Will Hayes praised for a smart and physically committed performance against Carlton, described as giving Collingwood something they have been missing in the small forward role while Bobby Hill is out. Building impact across the game.

Breakout Signal· T3

Will Hayes had a high-impact Q4 vs Carlton — crumbing goal and multiple impactful moments. Community notes "Hayes will be the highlight of this game", "insane potential", and that he needs bulk-up time but the class is evident. Multiple references in Collingwood youth discussion thread.

Community Questions

What people are asking about Will Hayes

Mentioned in
  • Which Collingwood players should be dropped and who should come in after the heavy Round 9 loss to Geelong?
    UnknownTop: Drop seniors, bring in youth (Allan, West, Hayes) (40%)
    105
  • Is Oscar Steene worth picking up given his R6 ruck-forward breakout?
    O. SteeneFWDTop: Pick him up immediately (70%)
    31