In summary:
Second-year Swan Will Hayward formed part of a lively young forward line in season 2018, bringing endless energy alongside Tom Papley, Ben Ronke and Tom McCartin.
Hayward proved arguably the most valuable of Sydney’s young forwards, booting 28 majors to run second behind Lance Franklin (57) on the goal-kicking leaderboard.
The 19-year-old South Australian rose to the occasion during Franklin’s three-game stint on the sideline early in the season, booting three goals in three consecutive matches as the four-time Coleman Medallist spent Rounds 6, 7 and 8 nursing a bruised heel.
Hayward played every one of the Swans’ 23 games in 2018 and inked a new deal, signing a one-year contract extension to tie himself with Sydney until at least the end of 2020.
What the numbers say:
Games: 23
Goals: 28
Kicks: 173
Handballs: 101
Disposals: 274
Marks: 91
AFL Fantasy: 62.1 (average)
Best performance:
Round 8: Sydney Swans v Hawthorn, MCG
While Ronke’s seven goals stole the headlines as the Swans snuck home against the Hawks in Round 8, Hayward played a crucial role in the eight-point MCG thriller. The youngster collected 15 disposals and three goals, including a classy crumbing effort to snare the first major of the final term.
What they said:
Will Hayward
“As a team we had a few really good moments. There are definitely some positives to take out of the year. It was nice for myself to play consistently in the senior team. Overall I was pretty happy with my year.”
Forwards coach Steve Johnson
“Will started the season terrifically. He kicked a lot of goals in the first half of the season, battled through some injuries in the second half of the season and probably wasn’t at his best. But as a young player he sets such high expectations for himself and is his harshest critic. We couldn’t be happier with not only what he was able to produce this year but over his first two years of senior footy.”
In pictures:
Isaac Heeney, Will Hayward and Tom Papley celebrate a goal in the Swans' comeback win over the Cats in Round 6.
'Gotcha!': Hunting down big Lion Matt Eagles in Sydney's clash with Brisbane in Round 10.
Nailing a goal in the Swans' date with the Tigers in Round 15.
Stay tuned for more season reviews at sydneyswans.com.au over the remainder of this week.
