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By the time Troy Schwarze met Hayes after both had joined St Kilda via the 1998 national draft, Hayes was single-minded in his determination.And Schwarze soon found out his new housemate, while quietly-spoken and down to earth, possessed a competitive drive that knew no bounds.
"He's just really competitive. He even hated losing games on the Xbox," Schwarze said.
"Everything he does he's ultra competitive, whether it's a running race or whatever. He's got the endurance to win it, but he's got the mental toughness too."
Schwarze said such was the level of Hayes' work ethic 12 years into his AFL career that the midfielder had elevated himself into the top echelon of Saints greats.
"He pushes himself to the point of exhaustion. There's only been a few blokes since I can remember at the club who can do that and Riewoldt is one and (Robert) Harvey's the other one," he said. "They just keep going when their minds tell them to stop. From day dot he was a good athlete, a good runner, and he's turned out to be a champion.
"Now hopefully - hopefully - he's one of those players who are named as premiership players because if anyone deserves it, he does."
By the time Troy Schwarze met Hayes after both had joined St Kilda via the 1998 national draft, Hayes was single-minded in his determination.And Schwarze soon found out his new housemate, while quietly-spoken and down to earth, possessed a competitive drive that knew no bounds.
"He's just really competitive. He even hated losing games on the Xbox," Schwarze said.
"Everything he does he's ultra competitive, whether it's a running race or whatever. He's got the endurance to win it, but he's got the mental toughness too."
Schwarze said such was the level of Hayes' work ethic 12 years into his AFL career that the midfielder had elevated himself into the top echelon of Saints greats.
"He pushes himself to the point of exhaustion. There's only been a few blokes since I can remember at the club who can do that and Riewoldt is one and (Robert) Harvey's the other one," he said. "They just keep going when their minds tell them to stop. From day dot he was a good athlete, a good runner, and he's turned out to be a champion.
"Now hopefully - hopefully - he's one of those players who are named as premiership players because if anyone deserves it, he does."
A year out and some people forget just how good someone is.
Despite the age, he is as good as it gets. Ive never known someone to influence a result of a game and be so loved by everyone including opposition supporters than Lenny. Welcome back champ!
Strength through Loyalty
Go those mighty Sainters!!
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David Armitage (20)
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Sam Crocker (9)
Sean Dempster (24)
Sam Fisher (25)
Jarryn Geary (14)
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Jason Gram (1) Lenny Hayes (7)
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Dean Polo (34)
Farren Ray (22)
Nick Riewoldt (12)
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Nick Winmar (17)
TBH I never thought he'd amount to much as a new kid playing under timid watson.
Then again i thought Caydn beetham would be a 10 year superstar.
I just wathced Rd 1 2001 last night and Cadyn was burning it up- such a sad factor - skill but no passion. so many more have passion and need to work hard at the skill.
Save for one handy clearance after a couple of baulks, Hayes had a relatively quiet night in his first game back, but the 32-year-old said just playing again was a major goal.
"It was probably a number of things you've got to tick off when you come back from an injury like that, and the first game when you play an opposition is probably one of those," Hayes said.
"I see it as a mini-milestone. I've certainly got a lot of areas to improve on as the team does, but it is just another step in the process."
>>>>>>
I couldn't have asked for much more tonight, it was a good blow-out. I enjoyed hitting a few bodies and getting hit myself." !!!!!
24 Feb Rhys Carter
“@SP_10: Goodluck to lenny hayes tonight! One of the greats returns” yes!! The man. Great respect for the champion, Dip. Love it.
24 Feb FOX FOOTY
'A little roar from the crowd' Jason Dunstall notes, as Lenny Hayes gets his first touch, after returning from injury. #foxfooty
24 Feb Daniel Harford
Forgot to send my best to Lenny Hayes tonight... #Lenny #WelcomeBack
24 Feb Francis Leach
Whenever Nick Reiwoldt & Adam Goodes are out having a kick of the footy it's worth turning out for. And then there's Lenny Hayes.... #AFL
24 Feb Mitch Robinson
Good luck Lenny Hayes, get through mate! Winning tips (Syd, cats, cats)
24 Feb Scott Pendlebury
Goodluck to lenny hayes tonight! One of the greats returns
24 Feb Joel Selwood
Big Lenny Hayes fan, hope he gets through tonight's game all well... Hope he is rusty against the cats though!!
24 Feb Bryce Gibbs
Wishing Lenny Hayes all the best in his first game back from his knee injury! #oneofthegreats #lovelenny
24 Feb Xavier Clarke
Can't wait to see the great man Lenny Hayes run out there tonight.. There was never any doubt he would make it back