First-year Footscray coach Ashley Hansen has taken the reins of a dynamic, young premiership-winning team that continues to roll quality AFL and VFL-listed talent off its development line.
So what’s in the water down at VU Whitten Oval?
“There’s no secret – and if there was, I probably wouldn’t be telling,” Hansen laughs.
“I think we’ve brought in some really good kids with a really good attitude to learning and working hard, which is a fundamental of becoming a better player.
“It’s certainly been exciting to work with the current crop we’ve got.”
AFL observers would be familiar with young Bulldogs such as Mitch Honeychurch, Lin Jong, Jason Johannisen, Ayce Cordy, Jack Redpath and Michael Talia, who have gone on to play regular football at the elite level in 2015 after featuring in Footscray’s Grand Final triumph over the Box Hill Hawks last September.
But as those players begin to cement themselves in the Western Bulldogs line-up, lesser-known VFL-listed players are emerging to take their place.
One of those Bulldog pups defied his own expectations to earn a spot in that 2014 flag-winning team in just his first season of senior football.
Will Hayes has continued his rapid rise this season, playing every match except one and being named Footscray’s best player in wins against the Northern Blues in Round 12 and Geelong in Round 14.
Hansen – an ex-West Coast premiership forward – was glowing in his praise of the 20-year-old’s development since graduating from the Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup program in 2013.
“Will’s just a great young man,” Hansen said.
“His application to his training, diligence to want to learn and appetite to do everything he can to be the best player he can has just been fantastic.
“I love working with him – he’s certainly enjoyable to coach and he’s getting the best out of himself at the moment.”
The former Melbourne Grammar boy booted important bags of four and three goals to help sink Northern and Geelong respectively, as Hansen continues to develop 180cm Hayes as a dangerous forward.
“His game in regards to the defensive side and contested side is really starting to complement his offensive ability, which is probably his natural tendency,” Hansen said.
“He’s an exciting young player and one we’ve got high hopes for.”
Hayes himself said he was reaping the rewards of developing his craft with Footscray forwards coach Chad Jones.
“One of the big things I’ve been working on over the past month is my contested ground balls, which have significantly improved,” Hayes said.
“I’ve been working with Chad after training most nights, just doing a few extra ground balls and working on my cleanness below my knees.
“It gives you more confidence to back yourself in when you’re cleaner and gives you more time on the field; I’ve been lucky in that respect (recently).”
Hayes said he was also physically bigger this season compared to 2014 and “more mentally prepared for the contest”.
It has seen him flourish alongside fellow VFL-listed talents such as 24-year-old Michael Fogarty and 20-year-old Mitch Jensen, who have also gone on to play regular senior football after featuring in Footscray’s premiership team last year.
To those names, you can add impressive youngsters Nick Jamieson, Meyrick Buchanan, Tom Sharp, Darcy Fort and Liam Nash, who have all made an impact at the Kennel this season.
Read the full feature article in the AFL Victoria Record this weekend
Last Modified on 01/08/2015 12:06