According to reports, Collingwood is seriously considering acquiring St Kilda’s giant Jack Hayes in order to improve their forward and ruck options during the AFL trade window.
Hayes, 27, recently passed a medical with the Magpies, underlining Collingwood’s considerable interest in the South Australian, according to 7NEWS lead AFL reporter Mitch Cleary.
Hayes’ contract is up and he may not play for St Kilda much longer, so the Magpies are taking advantage of the chance to add a ready-made player with track record to their roster.
Hayes is being considered by Collingwood to fill the important forward and ruck position that head coach Craig McRae has publicly emphasised, according to Cleary.
Hayes, who turns 28 next season, is entering his peak and might have an immediate impact on the team, so Cleary said, “He is one name to keep an eye on over the next nine days.”
Hayes joined the AFL as an experienced recruit from SANFL powerhouse Woodville-West Torrens, where he captained the South Australian state squad in 2021 and was praised for his flexibility and consistency.
Hayes made a spectacular debut in Round 1 of 2022 with a stunning three-goal performance against Collingwood, and he has shown some promise as a dependable forward target despite having a limited AFL career owing to persistent physical setbacks.
Along with Dan McStay and Brody Mihocek, Hayes could provide Collingwood more offensive potency up front as the team gets ready to challenge for another premiership.
Collingwood is still keen in adding Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston to their roster of rebounding players, and they have already acquired Harry Perryman from GWS as a free agency.
The signing of Hayes fits in with Collingwood’s aggressive strategy during this trade window, as the team hopes to maintain its championship hopes a year after their 2023 flag success.
They will still be in action in the coming weeks even if they do not own a first-round pick in the next National Draft.
