By Parker McKenzie
An Upwey local has been drafted by the Essendon Football Club for the 2023 season in a decision announced in the AFL draft held on Tuesday 29 November.
Lewis Hayes was drafted as the number 25 pick by the bombers, following in the footsteps of his older brother and Port Adelaide ruckman Sam Hayes.
He told the Star Mail playing against his brother would be a “super special” moment.
“Even going up against him or something like that would be unreal,” Hayes said.
“He’s got his own career as well, but having something to do with Sam in the AFL would be pretty cool.”
The backman played his junior career at Upwey-Tecoma Football Club and Lysterfield Football Club, playing six grand finals in a row at the later.
“It was a pretty successful junior team I was in, I grew up playing my footy there and I really enjoy it,” he said.
Hayes has also played for Eastern Ranges and for Vic Metro at the National Championships earlier in 2022.
The 199cm 18-year-old was a highly-rated defender heading into the draft, but Hayes said nothing was a certainty.
“Having my older brother and watching him go through it gave me a bit of confidence,” he said.
“I want to be at the highest level with him so to finally get my name called out was a massive relief. I’m super honoured to represent Essendon and get into it.”
He said he would be heading into his first training session with the bombers tomorrow — on Friday 2 December — after his first day at the club on Thursday 1 December.
“We’ll be training for two weeks and then have a Christmas break of about three weeks and then straight back into the preseason,” he said.
“Then after that, it’s getting into the full swing of things and into the season.”
